Doggie Bags for Concerts
eMusic Live is experimenting with a new technology for giving concert-goers instant gratification - a take-home digital version of the show, packed onto a tiny USB drive.

According to the New York Times (March 4 2004), some bands (Phish , Pearl Jam) have started posting MP3 versions of their concerts on their own web sites within a few days of a show. Last year Clear Channel Communications, radio giant and concert promoter, introduced its Instant Live program, which burned CDs on the spot for sale to concert attendees and concert no-shows alike.

eMusic Live's new system goes to the next level. A prototype "digital kiosk" outfitted with a touch screen and credit card reader can download a concert onto a customer-supplied USB drive in 30 seconds. (Not surprisingly, a nearby vending kiosk sells various capacities of USB drives.)

The company hoped to give the system a real-world test during last month's South by Southwest music conference in Austin, Texas. Stay tuned!

Read the New York Times article [fee required]

Visit eMusic Live or Clear Channel Communications