When melodies enter the charity drop box

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RED-branded products. But the organisation’s approach is to find businesses that can finance AIDS drugs in a sustainable way. A subscription music service that generates steady revenue would fit that approach.

Many music executives say they believe adults have trouble locating music on the Web that they will enjoy. “There’s so much music out there now, and people aren’t getting their information in the ways that they grew up with,” Paul McGuinness, U2’s manager, said. “I think there’s quite an opportunity to help people keep current with music.”

RED’s service will provide visuals along with the music. The artists can choose 30 images that they believe evoke their songs, and users will see them as the music plays. Listeners can then choose an image, separate from those chosen by the artists, that they think represents the song; when enough do so, subscribers will be able to play the song to a stream of images that other listeners have chosen.

RED’s music software will deliver updates on how the organisation’s money is being used in Africa. It will also encourage customers to share the service with friends and colleagues: subscribers can e-mail their friends an offer for a two-week free tryout.

RED will get some of its songs from Spectacle: Elvis Costello With ..., a music-theme talk show that will make its debut on the Sundance Channel this fall. The organisation will be able to use almost all the music performed by Costello and his guests, although it will not necessarily take all of it. “If you’re going to create something,” Costello said, “it’s good to know that there’s more to it than profit.”