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Sound City festival goes cashless

By Retail Technology | Wednesday April 23 2014

Mobile payments innovation adopted by upcoming Liverpool festival and largest event of its kind in the UK for the first time

Up to 15,000 festival goers a day expected at this year’s Liverpool Sound City will enjoy a more convenient experience with the arrival of cashless mobile payments for the first time using technologies supplied by mobile business platform ZNAP.
 
The UK’s largest festival of new music, film and creative technology, taking place from 1 to 3 May, has partnered with ZNAP to improve the festival goers experience through significantly reduced queuing times and new services, while contributing to the spirit of innovation that is at the heart of the festival.
 
Ticketholders can download the ZNAP app and pair it with their near-field communications (NFC) festival wristband, which will provide them with quick access to the venues and faster service at the bars – where they can then pay by tapping the NFC wristband on the ZNAP reader.

Building on successful event debut
 
ZNAP made an initial debut at Sound City New York in March, where the technology was showcased to organisers and attendees. For the Liverpool event, ZNAP will be in use at eight bars and one fixed concession stand, across six venues at the festival.
 
Laurence Fenlon, sponsorship director of Sound City, commented: “We take pride in celebrating and championing innovation, so partnering with ZNAP to offer our customers innovative technology that improves the overall festival experience is a perfect fit. 
 
“In addition to memories of the country’s leading breakthrough artists, we’re sure when festival goers head home they’ll be telling their friends about the new cashless technology and glimpse into the future they’ve experienced.
 
“By offering quicker access into venues and making queues a thing of the past, ZNAP will help us make this year’s Sound City the best yet.”
 
Looking to the future, ZNAP reported that it will be working with Sound City to explore opportunities of partnering with event sponsors and offering customers rewards through the technology.