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Apple to stream live iTunes Festival shows via Apple TV, iOS app

Apple on Monday launched a universal iTunes Festival iOS app and an accompanying Apple TV app, both of which will feature live streaming capabilities when the 30-day music celebration kicks off on Sept. 1.

The 2012 iTunes Festival will be hitting the Roundhouse in London from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30, and Apple will be offering free live streaming of the performances via an iOS app as it did last year. New for 2012, however, is Apple TV compatibility, both in the form of AirPlay and a new dedicated app.

In addition to streaming, Apple will be hosting replays for a limited time following the live performance. Londoners will be able to attend the shows for free with tickets being handed out through a lottery system.

From the iTunes Festival homepage:

The iTunes Festival is coming back in September 2012. We’re inviting more than 60 artists to perform 30 consecutive nights of brilliant live music at the Roundhouse in London. Be sure to check back—we’re adding new artists to the line-up on a regular basis. Every ticket to the iTunes Festival is free—you can apply to win tickets to any performance.

If you can’t make the gig, watch the shows live or view them afterwards for a limited time on your computer with iTunes, or on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with the iTunes Festival app. To watch on your big screen, use Apple TV and click iTunes Festival from the main menu, or use Airplay to stream gigs wirelessly via the app.


iTunes Festival Apple TV app.

The festival will be Apple's second attempt at streaming a live music event to the Apple TV, the first being a Paul McCartney concert in February.

While the iOS app is available from the App Store, Apple TV owners should have the program pushed to their devices automatically in a software update. If the "iTunes Festival" icon doesn't appear on the Apple TV homescreen, restart the device or conduct a software update manually.