Post-Concert CD Business Gains Ground
Fri Aug 8, 7:22 PM ET

By Susanne Ault

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - They'll probably never replace T-shirts, but live CDs are starting to make headway as the new concert souvenir.

Throughout this event-heavy summer, live concerts are being recorded onto discs and sold shortly after the performances. Post-concert CDs are typically two- or three-disc sets that sell for about $20 each.

Few major acts have agreed to participate in this new concert merchandising segment, and most of the activity is taking place at small venues. Revenue has been modest.

Still, two high-profile concert-CD startup companies -- DiscLive and Instant Live -- believe they can eventually win the faith of the industry's biggest names ...

DiscLive's opening salvo involved three June shows by Jefferson Starship in the Northeast. At those shows, the company sold a total of 225 CD bundles. That means 25% of the 900 people in attendance bought the $25 CD sets, according to DiscLive founder Rich Isaacson, the former head of Loud Records.

Since then, DiscLive has pacted with management firm 10th Street Entertainment, whose acts -- including HANSON, Motley Crue, Yes and Meat Loaf -- will likely use the company's services for future tours. Also, Billy Idol will sell DiscLive CDs at 10 of his theater shows in September...

Hanson guitarist Isaac Hanson says he does not mind any live hiccups that may wind up on the DiscLive CDs that are expected to be sold during the band's fall tour.

Studio albums or remastered concert CDs "are unnatural perfection," he says. "This will be rock 'n' roll." ...

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