U2 signs long-term deal with Live Nation

According to the BBC this morning, Irish rock band U2 have signed a 12-year deal with Live Nation, Inc. (NYSE: LYV) on top of the band's deal with Vivendi's Universal Music Group. The deal will see the band consolidate previous arrangements and connections with Live Nation and includes merchandising, digital, and branding rights. U2 follows Madonna into an extensive contract with Live Nation, although record releases were included for Madonna.

Financial arrangements between U2 and Live Nation have not been disclosed, but it would not be surprising to see the band enjoy a similar deal to Madonna, who reportedly signed for $120 million over 10 years. Both deals are part of a larger trend of so-called "360 degree deals", according to the BBC, where artists "combine their recording, publishing and touring revenues." U2's lead singer Bono told the BBC as well that U2 and Live Nation had been in a "relationship for 20 years" so the new deal has been a long time coming.

U2's move is quite unsurprising given the latest trends for artists, but it should be noted that record label Universal retained a relationship with the band. As previously stated, Madonna's deal included Live Nation taking charge from Warner Music Group (NYSE: WMG) to release her new albums (after the upcoming release). The fact that Universal was able to keep U2 in some degree means that either a larger deal for the release of albums was already in place, or the record labels are seeing the shift and making amends to keep artists in traditional outlets.