Amazon to host live music gigs as part of its latest marketing strategy

Online retail giant Amazon has announced that it will be hosting a series of live music gigs as part of its latest innovative marketing strategy.

Beginning with a Blondie concert at the Round Chapel in Hackney, London on Tuesday May 23rd, the gigs are part of a new venture called Prime Live Events, which sees the digital retailer looking to attract more customers to its Amazon Prime service.

The Blondie gig - and subsequent events featuring Alison Moyet, Texas and Katie Melua - will all be held in intimate venues where these acts wouldn't necessarily usually play, but will only be available to Prime subscribers, providing an incentive to sign up to the service.

Music fans will still have to pay for a ticket for each gig, but they will also receive the benefits of Amazon Prime, which include faster order delivery times and access to online video content.

Geraldine Wilson, general manager of Amazon Tickets, commented: "We're delighted to reveal our first line-up of fantastic artists performing Prime Live Events in stunning venues to audiences of less than 800.

"Prime members in the UK and internationally will have the chance to watch the performance on Prime Video."