Give Time, Get Tickets
Music is one of life's supposed luxuries that we just couldn't live with out. But though there's nothing quite like seeing your favorite group live, sometimes ticket prices can climb a bit too steep for even the fiercest devotees. But the UK's Orange RockCorps has found a sweet and clever way around the pricing problem.
Here's The Deal
Instead of selling tickets, every attendee of an Orange RockCorps gig has to earn their passes through volunteer work. For four hours of volunteering, a Orange RockCorps member will get one ticket to a future concert. This way, instead of simply having proceeds go to charity (like many benefit concerts do), all ticket-holders have to go through a shared experience—one that helps benefit the world.
Hear That?
Though they haven't released the lineup for the 2012 event yet, previous years have hosted big names in rock, pop and electronic music. Some of the most famous headliners include Snoop Dogg and Vampire Weekend in 2010 and Primal Scream and Kelis in 2011. Stars like P. Diddy and Mark Ronson have also been known to get in on the volunteering process.
Orange RockCorps is a collective. Once you sign up, all you have to do is give four hours of your time "wherever, whenever," share your story, and you will be gifted with a TicketMaster pass to an Orange concert. Members are welcome to arrange their own volunteering event, but the Orange RockCorps also promotes certain causes and organizations on their website and Facebook—in case you need a little direction. Currently, membership is open to anyone in the UK, but we have our fingers crossed for something like this popping up in the U.S.!
The Bottom Line
Orange RockCorps is a cool organization, but an even better idea. By targeting teens and younger adults, they're working to create a whole new generation of philanthropically-minded music lovers.
Would you trade your time to attend a concert?