Apple lets Vevo live-stream SXSW iTunes Festival

iTunes Festival (teaser 002)

Apple’s iTunes Festival at SXSW in Austin, Texas is kicking off at 8pm Pacific / 11pm Eastern and the music video service Vevo just announced on its blog that it will live stream all of the performances through through its Apple TV channel and its free mobile apps for the iPhone and iPad.

Select performances will be available following each show, Vevo has noted. The five-day event runs from March 11 through March 15 at ACL Live at the Moody Theater.

In addition to Vevo, Apple itself will provide a free live and on-demand stream via the iTunes Store on the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC devices, as well as in high-definition through the newly-refreshed iTunes Festival app, available free of charge for iOS devices and as a channel on the Apple TV media-streaming box…

You’d be forgiven for wondering why on Earth would Apple dilute its own coverage by allowing its customers to watch iTunes Festival through Vevo. Although Apple actually has partnered with Vevo on this, it’s not like the company needs Vevo’s money, right?

I think Apple’s goal here is to bring iTunes Festival to as many eyeballs as possible. Don’t forget that Vevo has essentially become the MTV for the Internet generation so clearly it’s a win-win for both parties.

Besides, Vevo is a partner – they have a 24/7 music video Apple TV channel.

Some of the big performers at the show include Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Pitbull, Keith Urban, ZEDD, Kendrick Lamar and Soundgarden. There’ll be a host of supporting acts as well like ScHoolboy Q, Isaiah Rashad, Band of Skulls, Capital Cities and others.

Here’s the full five-day iTunes Festival schedule:

  • Tuesday, March 11: London Grammar (7:30pm CT), Imagine Dragons (8:30pm CT), Coldplay (10pm CT)
  • Wednesday, March 12: Isaiah Rashad (8pm CT), ScHoolboy Q (8:45pm CT), Kendrick Lamar (10pm CT)
  • Thursday, March 13: Capital Cities (8pm CT), Band of Skulls (8:45pm CT), Soundgarden (10pm CT)
  • Friday, March 14: G.R.L. (8pm CT), ZEDD (8:45pm CT), Pitbull (10pm CT)
  • Saturday, March 15: Mickey Guyton (8pm CT), Willie Nelson (8:45pm CT), Keith Urban (10pm CT)

Show times are listed in Austin, TX local time.

The free iTunes Festival app for iOS can be found in the App Store.

iOS 7.0 or later is required.

Vevo’s iPhone and iPod touch app is available free in the App Store.

Vevo HD for iPad is a separate download.