Live Nation in the UK has announced it plans to test launch a wristband technology that averts the need for users to be carrying any cash with them at festivals. The debit wristband can be used at concession stands, instantly decreasing the chances of theft and fiddles. The way it works is the wristband has an embedded micro-chip in it that acts like a debit card. Users have the option to top up funds online if they drain the credit limit embedded in the band and, if the wristband is lost, funds can be frozen immediately or even cancelled. John Probyn, Live Nation’s COO in the UK, told Music Week: “Every wristband company is vying for the contract, but it’s basically a band with a built-in computer chip which can be credited with money.
“Similar systems already exist – my golf club has it and universities have it – but it hasn’t been used at a major outdoor festival, so we’ll hopefully give it a limited trial at Download.”
He added on the logistics: “If you can imagine all the tills that you have at a festival – for food, drink, merchandise and concession stalls, fair rides, etc – you’re talking about a significant outlay to get everything working in sync.”
“There’s an obvious benefit for security, because if kids aren’t carrying cash you can cut down on theft, and if they lose the wristband it can be cancelled immediately with a new one issued on site, credited with the same amount of money.
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