Apple Music’s New Concert Discovery Features Take Live Music Experience To New Heights
Leading music streaming service, Apple Music, has taken a significant stride into the live music space by introducing groundbreaking concert discovery features on both Apple Maps and Apple Music platforms. This exciting development, announced on May 16th, aims to elevate the live music experience for fans while fostering deeper connections between enthusiasts and their favorite artists.
Apple Music’s relentless pursuit of innovation in the realm of streaming is evident through the unveiling of these new features. A global team of expert curators, with an unrivaled passion for live music, has meticulously hand-picked over 40 remarkable venues across cities worldwide. These carefully curated selections are presented through Apple Music‘s ‘Guides,’ offering fans an insider’s glimpse into the most captivating live music experiences around the globe. To make the discovery process seamless, these Guides are easily accessible via Apple Maps, enabling fans to browse upcoming shows directly within the app itself.
A vital catalyst in enhancing the concert discovery experience is the integration of Shazam’s concert discovery module. Since its acquisition by Apple four years ago, Shazam has grown exponentially, now boasting an impressive user base of 77 million registered fans and providing concert information from Bandsintown, a highly regarded event recommendation platform featuring 570,000 registered artists. Through the app, fans can now access comprehensive concert information, ticket availability, and even purchase tickets for upcoming shows near their location, offering a seamless end-to-end experience for live music enthusiasts.
Apple Music‘s commitment to enriching the live music ecosystem does not stop there. They have recently launched an exciting feature called ‘Set Lists,’ presenting a collection of major tours that allows fans to delve into the intricacies of concerts and explore the carefully crafted set lists performed by their favorite artists. By visiting apple.co/setlists, fans gain exclusive access to upcoming shows in their area, utilizing the concert discovery module powered by Shazam and Bandsintown. This newfound integration not only empowers fans but also nurtures a deeper connection between artists and their followers, making the live music experience even more immersive and memorable.
Apple’s foray into the live music space intensifies its competition with another industry titan, Spotify. In September 2020, the streaming service launched virtual concert listings in collaboration with Songkick, a concert discovery app acquired by Warner Music Group in 2017. Additionally, Spotify has been testing concert ticket sales through its ‘Spotify Tickets‘ site, giving fans direct access to purchase tickets for their favorite artists’ shows. The fierce rivalry between these giants highlights the growing significance of the live music industry.
This surge in live music events and the race for dominance in the concert discovery landscape comes as no surprise, considering the remarkable growth and revenue reported by industry leaders. Live Nation, a prominent events giant, recently disclosed a staggering 73% year-over-year jump in first-quarter revenue, totaling an impressive USD $3.1 billion. Concurrently, Ticketmaster, a renowned ticketing platform, experienced a 43% YoY surge in revenue, reaching a remarkable $677.7 million, fueled by the sale of 145 million tickets. These astounding figures reaffirm the enduring allure and economic potential of live music events.
The music industry is undergoing a profound transformation, and the strategic moves made by Apple Music and Spotify, coupled with the industry’s resurgence, signal a new era for music marketing. The integration of advanced technologies and platforms, such as Apple Maps, Shazam, and Bandsintown, has revolutionized the way fans discover and engage with live music. The intensifying competition between streaming services indicates a growing focus on delivering unparalleled experiences for music enthusiasts, transcending the traditional boundaries of audio streaming.
As live music events continue to captivate audiences worldwide, Apple Music’s innovative concert discovery features mark a significant milestone in shaping the future of the music industry. By leveraging its vast resources, global reach, and deep understanding of fan preferences, Apple has not only enhanced the live music experience but also solidified its position as a key player in the evolving landscape of music streaming. With an unwavering commitment to empowering fans and artists alike, the competition between Apple Music and Spotify in the live events space serves as a testament to the immense potential and enduring power of the live music industry.
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