Back in the day, bootleg recordings were poor-quality reproductions of live concerts captured on crummy tape systems that were then passed around (usually illegally) between rabid fans. These days, it seems, that concept has gone a little....commercial.
Verizon has announced a partnership with former grunge mavens
Pearl Jam to release a trio of 'bootleg' tracks after each concert on their 2008 tour, which kicks off tonight in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Three songs will be captured each night, mixed by a Verizon engineer, then posted to Verizon's V CAST network for download on Verizon Wireless phone the the desktops of Verizon Wireless customers. One of the three will be free for 24 hours after posting, while the other two will cost $.99 each. After 24 hours, that free track will be replaced with another, though the old one will still be available for purchase along with all the others for the duration of the tour.
Underground it ain't -- after all these arent's really bootlegs, are they? -- but if you want to get in on the action, you'll have to download the
V CAST Music Manager software. You certainly can't beat the price -- so long as you're quick with the downloading and don't mind one measly track per night. If, on the other hand, you're willing to pay for the full show, head over to
PearlJam.com, where pretty much anyone can download MP3 versions of shows for $9.99 (and those will work on any player or phone!). [Source:
Pearl Jam Summer Tour 2008]
