This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Artist News Business News Digital Gigs & Festivals
Download announces Google+ band hangouts
By Chris Cooke | Published on Friday 1 March 2013
Now the line may be “Google+ is like the gym of social networking, everyone’s a member, no one goes”, but a number of artists have started using the ‘hangout’ bit of the web-giant’s social media platform for fan Q&A sessions, now that there’s no ‘Live & Kicking’ to host such things, and given that when you have pop stars answering fan’s questions in person, they just throw shoes at their balls.
Artist-centric Google+ Hangout sessions have been more common in the US and in the pop domain to date, but organisers of Live Nation’s Download Festival are taking it British and metal by launching their own Google+ profile and inviting acts playing the rock event in for some online questioning. Cancer Bats and Young Guns have committed to hangout in such a fashion this month, and Download fans can win a place in the Hangout too by tweeting the questions they’d like to ask to @downloadfest with the hashtag #DownloadAsks.
Given the Download Festival has a famously loyal and social-media savvy following, competition for the Hangout spots will presumably be fierce, though those not able to get into the Q&A sesh itself will be able to follow the video-based conversation on the festival’s website and Google+ profile.
Say Cancer Bats: “YOOOOOOO we’re gonna be hanging to the max via the interweb on the 7th at 7pm GMT come and digitally party with us!”
Say Young Guns: “We’re incredibly excited to share the stage with a number of bands we grew up listening to, it’s definitely one of our favourite festivals to play! Make sure to come and chill with us at the Google+ Hangout, we’re always up for having a chat with our fans. Feel free to ask us anything!”
And from the corporate side…
Google+’s James Howard: “Rock fans are amongst the most tech savvy around and we’re excited to collaborate with Download in 2013 to reach the Google+ rock community and beyond. A digital first for festivals in the UK and only possible via Google+, Download will bring fans closer to artists than ever before in the build up to the main event”.
Download’s Andy Copping: “Google+ Hangouts are an incredible way for us to engage with our audience. We’re really excited to be using them to bring fans closer to artists and their music and can’t wait to get started”.
