Apple today announced that it will be holding its annual music festival across 10 days during the month of September in London. Previously known as the iTunes Festival, this year’s show is known as the “Apple Music Festival” in reference the recently launched Apple Music service. It is also notably shorter than the typical 30 days of concerts. Pharrell Williams, One Direction, Florence + The Machine and Disclosure will be the headlining acts at this year’s festival, which takes place from September 19th to September 28th.
Apple’s Eddy Cue in addition to the main artists have commented on the announcement:
“We wanted to do something really special for music fans this year,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “The Apple Music Festival is a greatest hits set of ten unbelievable nights featuring some of the best performers on the planet appearing live and interacting directly with their fans on Connect and Beats 1.”
“Wow, I’m so grateful to be performing at the Apple Music Festival. The Roundhouse is such a historic venue … there’s always a special energy in the crowd. Thank you for having me!” – Pharrell Williams
“It’ll be great to be back in London and we can’t wait to perform for our fans in the Roundhouse and around the world on Apple Music! See you there!” – Niall, One Direction
“We’re excited to be playing at this year’s Apple Music Festival at the wonderful Roundhouse!” – Florence + The Machine
“We’re super excited to play our first ever show for Apple Music Festival at the Roundhouse, one of our favorite venues in London. It’s also the day our album’s released so that makes it extra special!” – Disclosure
#AppleMusicFestival is coming! @Pharrell, @OneDirection, @Flo_Tweet, @Disclosure and more. http://t.co/6fVYjqZZmR pic.twitter.com/a0YyGdkMpK
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) August 18, 2015
As is tradition, Apple will allow customers to apply to win tickets to attend the concert in person. Apple says that it also partnering up with media partners such as the London Evening Standard to giveaway tickets to the free concert. For those not attending the events in person, Apple will, as usual, stream the concerts via the new Music app on iOS devices, iTuns on the Mac, and on the Apple TV. Apple will also stream content through the Beats 1 radio station and host behind the scenes footage on Apple Music Connect.
Apple has also posted a new website along with a FAQ section with extra details on the events.
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It’s too bad “Think Different” doesn’t apply to music. Apple’s taste is what I’d expect from a tween girl from the suburbs.
They are following the CA$H. Apple(at least iTunes) is like a politician, cater to the biggest audience where the most money is.
Except for the face that the festival is FREE
You mean the target audience? Yeah… how dare they cater to them…
And neither does “improving diversity”..
Great! – Having the festival back for another year is always absolutely brilliant..
..but has anybody read the T&Cs for entering? 120 Prize of (2) two tickets per event?
So the same [if not more] people will now be applying for two thirds less shows… and we can only win 240 tickets each night?
At a venue that can hold almost 2000 people? That means iTunes and all its affiliates/media will be getting the rest.
Hardly a fan experience is it?!
That’s because the “Fans” can’t get this show in the headlines. Affiliates and media can. It’s not about fans, it’s about money.
I’m very excited to see the festival back this year as well. It’s a big part of my every year and I wish not just UK residents could win the tickets. Musical choices are great I think.
Is something about to fall on Florence? Look out Flo!!