-The Top 22 – Triple A, Indie, Alternative Rock
The Jonathan McHugh-directed film partners with stations for unique business model that benefits both parties…
By Paul Marszalek
TheTop22.com
Stir crazy fans of live music can feed the need with the March 11 streaming premiere of Long Live Rock – Celebrate the Chaos.
The fan-focused concert film is directed by longtime music industry veteran Jonathan McHugh, and co-produced by label vets Gary Spivak and Jonathan Platt. Is the directorial debut for McHugh, most recently known for music supervision.
COVID-19 not only shut down the live music business, but it also tripped up the traditional theatrical presentation of McHugh’s film. Instead, his team is taking the doc directly to fans via video-on-demand. In yet another twist, radio stations can become promotional partners and participate financially — taking a 25% cut of the gross ticket sales they generate via a station-branded pay-per-view portal.
It’s a unique opportunity for stations, especially those currently with light inventory, to simply plug in promos or spots, create some on-air talk, and generate direct response income. While most of the music is hard rock, interviews with icons Lars Ulrich, Tom Morello, Ice-T, and a focus on the fans help it cross genres.
Said McHugh:
Growing up in Staten Island, NY I would do anything to see legends like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath & KISS, perform at Madison Square Garden, or Nassau Coliseum. I was lucky to fall into the music business doing radio promotion at Elektra Records in the early 90’s, where I worked with Gary Spivack. We were blessed to promote legendary bands like Motley Crue & Metallica. And here we are 25 years later, amplifying and championing this music, now in documentary form. “Long Live Rock” is a celebration of the chaos that makes this music and its fans, the most passionate in the world.
Interested stations can learn more on the Long Live Rock – Celebrate the Chaos site.
Get a feel for the film in this trailer:
