Partner Article

New app just the ticket for live music fans

Digital creatives Re:Systems, based in Manchester and Bakewell, have partnered with event agency SEE Tickets and PayPal to produce a new app aimed at fans of live music.

Designed to as the first of its kind, the app – called Gig Buddy - takes concert-goers through the whole process from buying a ticket, on to booking accommodation, pre-show food and drinks and through to capturing and sharing the experience with friends afterwards.

Fans can buy tour merchandise in advance and have it delivered to their door in time to wear at the gig. Bands and artists will also supply exclusive content to fans in the run-up to, during and after the show as well as introducing support acts and revealing stage times beforehand.

Gig Buddy has partnered with PayPal, to power its ‘Express Checkout’. Customers can use their PayPal log in details without having to fill out their card details or address every time they want to buy – offering a simpler, faster and safer way to pay via mobile, without sharing financial information.

The app is available on iOS and Android and is fully integrated with PayPal and SEE Tickets and will be promoted to their millions of UK customers through a raft of marketing partnerships.

It currently features content from Universal Music with more deals “expected in the coming weeks”, according to Re:Systems. Artists already directly signed up include Gary Barlow, Ellie Goulding, Interpol, John Newman, Frank Turner, The Saturdays, Alex Clare and Elli Ingram.

Martin Fitzgerald, Chief Commercial Officer of SEE Tickets, said: “We’ve been seeing phenomenal growth through SEE’s mobile ticket stores over the last 12 months.

“So much so that for some events, sales via a mobile device now outstrip desktop and tablet sales combined.

“Having our entire inventory, approximately 40,000 events, available via this platform, combined with the ease of purchase via PayPal, will only accelerate this growth further. It’s an exciting project to be involved in and I’m confident it will deliver some great results for customers and artists alike.”

Nick Gallon , Head of Mobile at Re:Systems, added: “Gig Buddy presents a really exciting opportunity for music lovers of any description to hear about, plan, attend and enjoy gigs from their favourite artists.

“We are delighted to have developed a cross-platform app that encompasses many layers of functionality and the latest mobile technologies from supporting partners - to deliver a seamless user experience.”

Mark Brant, General Manager of Merchant Services from PayPal UK said, “We know how much people love music and going to gigs and PayPal has worked with GIG BUDDY to make it easier than ever to pay for tickets, merchandise and travel on their phone.

“Through the app you can select whether you pay by PayPal balance, bank balance, debit card or credit card without having to share your financial details – it’s that simple.”

Other partnerships include the restaurant bill payment app MyCheck and direct sales company Sandbag who will provide the multi-artist merchandise store.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .