Rolling Stones launch official iPhone app including premium content

The Rolling Stones? There’s an app for them. It went live on Apple’s App Store this morning as a free download for iPhones.

Published by Endemol UK, which is handling the international digital rights to the band’s upcoming 50th anniversary gigs, the app offers the usual mix of news, tour dates, photos, ticketing, competitions and social features, as well as the ability to listen to sample clips of the Stones’ back catalogue, and buy it from iTunes.

However, there’s a twist: an “exclusive paid-for section” unlocked with an in-app purchase of £0.69. Exclusive video interviews and performance footage is promised behind this paywall. Soon, a feature will be added for fans to vote for their favourite track to be played at one of the gigs, too.

“We wanted to do something a bit special and innovative,” says frontman Mick Jagger in a statement (sorry, we don’t have him on speed-dial just yet). “An app that really connects with the user, lots of exclusive content, integration with social networks, and the ability to make a song request for the upcoming shows.”

Relatively few artist apps have tried this kind of thing using in-app purchases, although Tiesto’s official iPhone app tried it earlier in the year, while EMI’s Blue Note by Groovebug iPad app charges a £1.49 monthly subscription for access to premium streams and content.

Endemol worked with Dainty Group on the app, which was developed using Mobile Roadie’s app-building platform. It’s the latest big win for the latter company, which has also been used for apps by Adele, Green Day, Madonna, David Guetta, Taylor Swift and Pixies, among other artists.

For now, the app is iPhone-only, but we’re guessing Android and iPad versions could follow, given the capabilities of Mobile Roadie’s platform.

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