By Jerell Tongson

BandMate (available now for iOs app store) is an aggregation application that helps people seek out live music events happening in their area.  It combines the large, encyclopedic knowledge of Last.fm and the algorithmic determinations of a Pandora or a Spotify to give you all the information possible about not just your favorite artists, but also new ones you may have not discovered yet.

Upon initial download, BandMate scans one’s music library and uploads a tailored list of shows, sorted accordingly by a percentage of compatibility.   Once a selection has been made, it takes you to an intricately detailed (but not overwhelming) event page complete with all the information for the show (date, place, opening lineups), a clean and easily scroll-able photo stream of the artists, and a list of similarly compatible artists one has already in their library.

 

Along the bottom of the screen, there are seven small tabs that can extend the drive of knowledge even further.  There are general information tabs that links to the artists’ website, biography, tour dates, tickets, and even their Facebook feeds.  Direct iOs incorporation is also utilized, as you can add events directly to your calendar and share details to friends through e-mail, Facebook, or Twitter.

The most impressive feature is the audio/video capabilities; BandMate offers linkage to songs and videos for one to sample through designated iTunes, Spotify, Last.fm radio AND Pandora links.  Whether it be “trying before buying” or a pre-gaming mix before the show, this app condenses your movements across 4-5 different apps into one, streamlined place.

There are lots of other smaller functionalities to discover (an album release calendar sorted by countries and territories, for example) in addition to the live music aspects that really round out the app.  BandMate is an entirely useful service that can help cut out the extra noise and get you to the shows that you know (or didn’t know) will be a good time. 

Download BandMate from the iTunes App Store

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