One perk of being an American Express cardholder is access to exclusive events, like the concert series they sponsor, featuring shows directed by celebrities.
Ellie Goulding is the latest star of the American Express Unstaged concert series, at a concert directed by Scarlett Johansson. The show took place in November 2015 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City and was just a few days after Goulding’s newest album, Delirium, debuted. It was the first live show Goulding performed featuring songs from the new album.
Johansson is known primarily as an actress, star of The Avengers and Lost in Translation. She directed the live stream of the concert, which was available on the Amex app. Goulding, meanwhile, has sold more than six million albums and 20 million singles in her career. Her 2012 album, Halcyon, pushed her into global superstardom. Her singles include “Lights,” “Burn,” and “Love Me Like You Do,” which was featured in the film 50 Shades of Grey.
Walter Frye, vice president at American Express, said the concert series provides “truly interactive and immersive moments in time for our Card Members and all music fans.” The company partners with Vevo and YouTube to produce pre-show and in-concert extras, such as digital features, fan experiences, and unique content. There are trivia contests, behind-the-scenes photos, and post-show wrap-ups as well. These are available to anyone with the American Express Unstaged app.
Previous shows featured Tim McGraw, The Killers
In the past, American Express Unstaged has hosted Disclosure, directed by James Corden, Dead & Co. directed by Brett Ratner, Tim McGraw directed by Bennet Miller, Pharrell Williams of “Happy” fame directed by Spike Lee, Kings of Leon directed by Saturday Night Live alum Fred Armisen, Vampire Weekend under the direction of Steve Buscemi, The Killers directed by Werner Herzog, and Usher with Hamish Hamilton.
Tickets to exclusive events are one of the fun extras offered by American Express and other credit card issuers. Cardholders often get first dibs on ticket sales, backstage access passes, preferred seating, and other benefits. Sporting events, concerts, theater, food and wine festivals and theater festivals are all often sponsored by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Having one of each of these types of cards gives people the best chance of taking advantage of special offers.
Rewards credit cards may also offer cash back, bonus points, and other ways of making credit card membership a good value with plenty of perks.