I’m sure I speak on behalf of many of our readers who follow more than just U2 (amazing as it may sound) when I offer the suggestion to our favorite group of Irish musicians that they should FINALLY allow fans to download copies of their concerts through U2.com for a nominal fee.

Starting on September 1, Pearl Jam will be allowing its fans to download for a very reasonable price high-quality, DRM-Free, digital recordings available just hours after the band’s live shows through the band’s website. Metallica fans have been able to download concerts, also for a reasonable price, for some time now either in mp3 format or FLAC lossless.

I think U2 fans would spend upwards of $20 (which is more than what Pearl Jam or Metallica charges) to be able to download a concert off of U2.com.

Here’s why I would spend money for this:
1) There are a bevy of sites online (too many to mention) that allow fans to download and upload concerts for free. However, bandwidth being what it is, as well as connection speeds globally, it can be a painful experience for those with limited connections.

2) I’d prefer to pay the band their royalties and legally download their material. (Call me old-fashioned, but if they created the music, then they deserve my cash). I’d also prefer a copy of the show vs. an overpriced T-shirt any day of the week.

3) It allows the fans to ENJOY the show for what it is - instead of having to sneak in recording equipment in places recording equipment doesn’t belong, and then having to worry about some idiot standing next to you screaming out “I LOVE YOU BONO” during the concert. (I’ll admit it - my apologies to anyone who tried recording the Worcester 3/13/92 show from the floor - I didn’t know bootlegging etiquette and I spoiled at least 1 recording of the show with my off-tune singing and i promise i’ll never do that again! - but i digress).

4) This is a benefit U2 could offer to U2.com subscribers - let’s face it, they have to figure out SOMETHING to lure tens of thousands of us to spend our $40 to renew in the winter. This would be a great benefit to the fanclub membership.

Here’s why U2 won’t do it (let’s be serious here - do you *really* think they’ll do it?)

1) They’re perfectionists. Every commercial release they’ve sold has been edited, then re-edited, and re-edited again. They don’t like to show their warts - even though those are the best parts of their live performance…shows they’re human.

2) If fans are already doing it (somewhat successfully) for 25+ years, then why should they spend their time here? Bono has said, “We tell people who come to our concerts that they can tape the shows if they want. I think it is cool that people are so passionate about our music.” However, Interscope has been cracking down on some sites for copyright issues - so, it would be nice to have U2 offer a legal alternative to fan favorite activity.

3) Have I mentioned they’re perfectionists?

Let’s face it, it’s a guaranteed revenue stream for them! Who wouldn’t want to make more money, right? Look at how successful Pearl Jam has been in releasing their live material - you can’t tell me that Principle Management hasn’t seen the greenbacks they’d get as a result of finally allowing legal downloading off of U2.com or iTunes. As a long time collector of live material, I would GLADLY pay U2 to allow me to download the material legally. Wouldn’t you want a copy of the concert you just witnessed to remember the night by? I know I would.

As a side note - U2’s tour management has been crunching numbers to see how to limit expenses to bring their live show to South America and to Australia - the band want to perform there, but freight charges and fuel is limiting their ability to travel (even though dates have been tossed around)….you can off-set these touring expenses through revenue generated from downloading the live material. So, Craig w/TNA…consider that when you’re crunching numbers during the third leg of the tour!