Today, (RED) announced the first (RED)Music program, which will give music fans the opportunity to buy exclusive (RED) tickets and packages from top artists and also have iconic venues turning their shows (RED). (RED)Music is a centerpiece of the inaugural (RED)RUSH TO ZERO campaign (June 1-10) to raise funding and awareness to help deliver an AIDS Free Generation by 2015, a critical milestone in the fight against AIDS. The virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is part of the eight Millennium Development Goals, which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS by the target date of 2015.
(RED)Music will engage music fans through (RED)ROWS, (RED) venues and the release of a single from the forthcoming album (RED) Hot + FELA.
(RED)ROWS
Artists are auctioning premium seats and exclusive packages to help fight AIDS through the (RED)ROWS initiative. (RED) has partnered with white-label ticketing provider CrowdSurge for (RED)ROWS, a unique technology solution that enables artists to turn their shows (RED) by auctioning concert tickets. From June 1-10, fans will be able to visit joinred.com to bid on exclusive seat and package opportunities to see their favorite artists perform live. Each artist’s auction will also be featured on their own website. Participating artists include: Bryan Adams, The Black Keys, Leonard Cohen, Coldplay, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Charlotte Gainsbourg, The Killers, K’naan, Diana Krall, Maxwell, Tim McGraw, Metric, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Phish, Pink Martini, Punch Brothers, Swedish House Mafia, Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Tragically Hip, Rufus Wainwright and The xx.
Through (RED)ROWS, artists are providing fans a way to get the best seats in the house and unique concert experiences while saving lives at the same time. Coldplay has made available seats in the first three rows for seven of their North American shows along with a signed program and entrance to their VIP party. The Black Keys are offering the best seats in the house and a signed (RED) version of the night’s set list. Phish is offering a signed print. Leonard Cohen is offering a limited edition signed lithograph based upon his original artwork. Metric is offering tickets to an exclusive album unveiling performance at the Toronto Opera House and a signed copy of their new album.
“We are thrilled to be offering some of the most influential voices of our time the ability to turn their ticket sales (RED),” said Martyn Noble, Group Chairman & CEO of CrowdSurge. “Expanding upon our existing direct-to-consumer ticketing platform, we have developed an innovative technology that provides artists and fans an exciting way to join with (RED) to deliver an AIDS-free generation by 2015. It is truly rewarding to be a part of the (RED)RUSH global effort.”
(RED) Hot + FELA: “LADY”
Today, the first single from the forthcoming album (RED) Hot + FELA debuts on the iTunes store. The track — a remake of Fela Kuti’s “Lady” – features Angelique Kidjo, tUnE-yArDs, Akua Naru and Ahmir ?uestlove Thompson and was recorded at Converse Rubber Tracks studio in Brooklyn, NY. The album, (RED) Hot + FELA, will be released on Knitting Factory Records and pays homage to the music and spirit of Fela Kuti. It will be the first collaboration between (RED) and the Red Hot Organization, creators of a long running line of musically original compilations that benefit AIDS organizations, ranging from 1990’s Red Hot + Blue (which featured U2 on Cole Porter’s “Night And Day”) to 2009’s Dark Was The Night (produced by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National). (RED) Hot + FELA, to be released this fall, is the follow up to Red Hot’s successful 2002 album, Red Hot + Riot, on which artists ranging from D’Angelo to Sade covered songs by Fela Kuti.
“Lady” was produced by Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs who said, “I wanted to reclaim ‘Lady’ for women in the world today, particularly African women, who will have an important role in ending the AIDS epidemic there. I was so happy to have the powerful Angelique Kidjo pour her soul into it, and then rapper Akua Naru wrote a raw, intense verse that perfectly extended and completed our vision of the song.”
