16 Approaches to Free Music + Free Bon Jovi Concert

Today NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a free Bon Jovi concert in NYC. 

Furthermore, Bon Jovi wasn’t the only free concert on the list.  The All-Star Week show will also include free performances from Elton John to Dave Matthews Band and Simon and Garfunkel.

Are free concerts the next wave? 

The whole thing caused me to dive a little deeper into some other examples we’ve seen in the world of big bands and free music.

Unique Approaches to Free Music

Free Mega Concerts

The free NYC concerts are not the first we’ve seen.  From free Ozzfest concerts in 2007 to free webcasting concerts by Radiohead and Elton John, new concert models are popping up around the globe.

Sponsored Concerts - Ozzfest Is Free this Year (VIDEO)

Ozzfest, the pioneer of heavy metal rock fests, now faces competition from other tours, Korn’s Family Values to Linkin Park’s Projekt Revolution to scrappier tours like Sounds of the Underground. Ozzfest’s… [More]

Free Concert Webcasting

Free Concerts - Radiohead’s ‘Scotch Mist’ Brings You Into The Studio (VIDEO)

Radiohead created a fireworks of its own when it embraced 2008 by webcasting live in-studio performances.  In the hour-long private taping entitled “Scotch Mist”, the band performs all tracks from its… [More]

Virtual Front Row Tickets - Free, Live, Elton John Concert Online

Elton John fans across the globe will be thrilled to discover that they have front-row access to their idol’s upcoming concert. Thanks to MSN and a company called Control Room, the concert will be broadcast… [More]

Free Thank-You Concerts

If your thankful about setting revenue records, there’s also the option of a ‘thank you’ concert:

Still Rollin’ - Free Rolling Stones Concert, Thanks for $168 Million

Will they ever retire?  Not likely. According to Forbes magazine, the Rolling Stones were the top-selling musical act in the US last year.  The Stones generated US$168 million in record and concert ticket… [More]

Free (Donation) Concerts (Hundreds of Examples)

There’s also the thriving model of benefit concerts.  Live 8 set records this year and it wasn’t the only example:

Rockers Go Green - Live Earth Revealed

Tickets for Al Gore’s Live-Aid for climate change, which he calls LIVE EARTH, go on sale on April 16th.  The July 7 concert (07/07/07) is being held in the U.S., Australia, England, Brazil, South Africa,… [More]

Green Rock - Connecting Musicians, Fans and the Environment

The global warming alert has reached the rock industry. Non-profit organizations like REVERB are raising awareness and supporting environmental causes using the powerful connection between rock stars and… [More]

New Approaches to Free Music

And of course, if you don’t want to go to see a concert, you can always get free music at home (and you don’t even have to steal it):

P2P Marketing - MediaDefender Stops Spamming, Launches Free Sponsored MP3s

P2P Marketing is a concept whereby consumers download free music which is sponsored by an advertiser.  In the past, efforts have been poorly executed, but that’s all about to change. A key player,… [More]

Free MP3s & New Band Exposure - Insound “Give More. Get More.” Program

Insound is showing their love for music with a new “Give More. Get More.” program to help change the way people think about and purchase music.  The “Give More” aspect is called “Show Support.”… [More]

Coke to give away 2 Billion Free iTunes Tracks

Expected to be the largest music promotion in history, Coca Cola and iTunes have teamed up to “give away two billion ITune music downloads” to Coke drinkers.  The promotion will run through the months… [More]

New Madonna Song Available for Free Download

Madonna has made her new song, “Hey You,” available for free download.  The song was written exclusively for the Live Earth concert series and available only on MSN.com. Live Earth, a monumental music… [More]

Free Prince CD With Sunday Paper - Artist Kisses Norms Goodbye (VIDEO)

You don’t have to be rich to get this album. The industry formerly known as a profit-maker may be headed towards a shift, and Prince is the one blazing the trail. Though his new venture may not give him… [More]

Digital Honesty Box - Radiohead is Not Totally Free, But Pay What You Want (VIDEO)

Radiohead is using digital honesty boxes to sell their new album, “In Rainbows.” The term honesty box refers to the boxes placed next to road-side stands selling goods (newspapers, flowers, fresh produce,… [More]

New Approaches to Pirating and Dealing With Pirates

Sometimes free isn’t free…

Pirates Rejoice! - Research Shows That Filesharing is Not Hurting CD Sales

Har Mateys!!! Music downloaders around the world can rejoice at the discovery that downloading music has little to no impact on CD sales. Of course, as one commenter from Techdirt points out: “The main… [More]

RIAA Wins Key Victory - Accused File Sharer Must Pay $220,000

In what is being regarded as a key decision, the RIAA has won a $220,000 lawsuit against a young woman.  The woman, Jammie Thomas, 30, was accused of sharing 24 specific songs.  Note that she had 1,700… [More]

Pirates To Take Over Sealand - The World’s First Copyright Free Nation?

BitTorrent tracking site The Pirate’s Bay is planning to buy the world’s “smallest country”, Sealand. This man-made island is a former World War II anti-aircraft base, seven miles off the coast of England.… [More]

Suing Fans (Part 2) - Prince to Sue Diminishing Fan Base For Copyright

Here’s an idea: instead of relying on the RIAA, sue your fans directly!  In the past, long ago, Metallica stepped up to the courtroom with some of their fans, then the RIAA started suing music lovers,… [More]

BONUS: NOT Free Concerts

But before you get your hopes up, not all concert innovation is about ‘being free’.  The most striking new concert model continues to be Jay-Z’s 7 concerts in 7 cities in 1 day:

Jay-Z Performs 7 Concerts in 7 Cities in 1 Day

Jay-Z is back, and he celebrated his return with seven concerts in one day.  The rapper Jay-Z has done his best to turn the arrival of his new CD “Kingdom Come” into a media spectacle.  His seven concerts… [More]