Downloads are just around the corner and they will be live in a couple of weeks. At launch, we will have a little more than 50 shows available for purchase. This includes some huge names, some cult favorites, and some smaller acts. We understand there will be concerts you want to download that won’t be on the initial list – trust us – we are working on it. We think you will be happy with the service and are very excited to get it up and running.

Since we are spending an awful lot of our waking hours preparing for the launch, we have become a bit obsessed with the topic of downloads and the music industry. Grabbing a fair amount of press recently is Apple and EMI’s recent announcement. They plan to remove the Digital Rights Management copy protection from downloads and offer these “unprotected” songs at a premium price and higher bitrate (the same bitrate as you will find on Concert Vault). The CEO of EMI insists that this will “move the digital industry forward,” and he might be right. A number of experts view this as a significant step in the right direction; a step that signals the end for DRM and increased flexibility for the consumer. They think this might be enough to plug at least a few of the holes, buy some time, and figure out what to do next. There are a lot of others, however, that think this is another giant music industry misstep; going halfway, merely testing the waters. They argue that the model is so broken, you need to discard the remnants and jump in with something truly innovative.

There is no question that the big labels are increasingly in a tough position (feel free to grab your tiny violins). They built a cost structure supported by the extraordinary CD sales of the mid to late ‘90s. Business was humming and they chose to ignore both the threat and the opportunity of the Internet. The world wide web smacked them in the face by eating into full album sales through a mix of increased consumer choice and piracy. Their reaction has been an interesting trifecta of burying their collective heads in the sand, suing the children, and dabbling in technology. Not surprisingly, they have seen limited success with this to date, but now they may be moving in the right direction.

We’ve debated this issue at length internally and, to be honest, we don’t really know where the industry takes it from here. The times, they are a changing, and the world of music will definitely look a lot different in 10 years. One thing that will not change: people are looking for great music and are happy to pay a reasonable price for it when they find it. Our goals are simple and aligned with this – to provide you with great music, offer access to incredible memorabilia, and be a bit innovative along the way. We think we are providing a compelling new way for artists to make money from classic concert recordings in the digital age and hope you will support them.

We appreciate the patience on the downloads. In the meantime, enjoy the great music on Concert Vault and keep the comments coming.

Cheers

Wolfgang

As many others have already stated on this site, allow me to express a collective "thank you" for this great opportunity to hear, and now download, such fantastic music at what appears, at least initially, to be fair prices.  The music industry, taken as a whole, is indeed broken.  In my estimation, it will never be successful, financially speaking, as long as it is considered an "industry".  Music is, and always will be, an art, not an industry, not a $$$ making machine.  Granted, like other forms of art, one can make a decent living from it, but it is not an industry, such as manufacturing or mining.  There are costs incurred while producing great music, but I still see no need for the exorbitant pricing by major labels other than good ol' fashioned greed.

This is perhaps why I am so glad I stumbled upon this site some time ago.  It seems that Wolfgang's Vault recognizes the true reasons for great music's existence, and it's dependence on the faithful listener.  Having been so entirely fed up with the current choices in music (broadly speaking), this site has become an oasis for me, allowing me to tap into music wholly inaccessible anywhere else.  I embrace the new methods for great music dissemination, namely the ones proposed here, with widely open arms.  I believe this will be as good a "model" as can be in the new Internet age.  With little overhead or other costs, a full, high-quality concert for around ten dollars seems more than fair.  Let the downloads begin, and never stop!

-Golden Zephyr

Or maybe they want people to go to wolfgang's vault and buy stuff.

Dont be naive,  people want to make money. 

Either way, thanks for the great music.

I have know about this site for a while now, but have never had the time until now to really listen in.

It's a great idea for downloadable concerts. I'll surely buy a few or more .

Absolutly fantastic! Thanks Wolfgang, I'll be waiting.....

This site is a godsend. I've just discovered this place and also want to echo my thanks. Like your name sake Bill Graham, you're ahead of the game making this stuff available. The music contained on this library is so important it has to be made available for download, whether by subscription or individual download.

Rummaging through this fine collection of shows it reminds you of just how good the music industry was, and just how bad it has become. F*ck the record companies and good riddance to them. I've heard this site is mired with legal issues and am sure the issues will become larger when it begins to generate commerece.

But as Wolf correctly points out, like it or not, the digital age is here. Tower Records is dead. This gives us the opportunity to chronicle and store so much great music that can be passed on that it's worth fighting for.

Keep up the fight Wolf. The more of these shows you can make available the better. Am happy to pay the price for the right to download.

Now the older I get, the more possibilities I need!? oops,  So this time I want to thank you for all your efforts. Your site has become one of my favorites, and already I am proud to announce, that in old Europe music aficionados are beginning to catch up with you. I am enjoying your concerts from A - Z, lots of performers I have known for a long time and it's nice to remember and having memories coming up.

There's only I haven't heard The Neville Brothers on your site - that would be nice to have!!

But keep on rocking forever and Thank you all!

HarryOgre:

I wish I had noticed this thread before I posted my last post in a different thread.

Either way, Thanks for the update.

 

You could always go back and edit or delete the other post if you felt the need.

We think we are providing a compelling new way for artists to make money from classic concert recordings in the digital age and hope you will support them.
Cheers, Wolfgang

 

 

I would love to hear more about how the ARTISTS will benefit, from the sale of these files, will you somehow funnel money to the actual artist from the sale of their performance???  Do Tell.

Absolutely love these live performances.  A few years back got a little taste via some awesome bootlegs.  Sound quality is hit and miss, often miss.  Can't wait for these high quality files.  Really great music should be shared, preserved, discussed, enjoyed, enjoyed, enjoyed. Thanks.  I'd like to hear a bit more on artists cut also.  What's the expected date for downloads?

waiting patiently....

Mr. Mushroom:

HarryOgre:

I wish I had noticed this thread before I posted my last post in a different thread.

Either way, Thanks for the update.

 

You could always go back and edit or delete the other post if you felt the need.

 

LOL

Thanks I'll do that.

Sometimes I miss the obvious.

Please HURRY.... I can not wait for the glory that will be these downloads!

So how cool will this be!! Can't wait!! I'll be watching!!

Can't wait for these to start coming out.

Last I read you were thinking of charging something like $9.99 / show. Seems high to me. If you were charging something like $3.99 and 3 / $10, I would be far more likely to spend something like $50.00 at your download store. At $9.99 / show I probably wiill only buy 1 show.

A lower price makes it far less likely people will steal illegal copies. Why charge a premium for unprotected? Charge less and don't protect 'em. If they are too cheap to steal no one will bother.