The man does what he wants when he wants, and while he isn't immune to the occasional sellout (ahem! See Caddilac and Victoria's Secret commercials), the efforts usually retain at least a semblance of decorum to them.  And this too seems to carry a genuine effort to support local music, despite being sponsored by a mall clothing chain for teens.

The American Music Union Festival, sponsored by American Eagle Outfitters, and hosted by Anthony Keidis, at face value appears to be the most egregious example of coproprate sponsorship rock.  But, looking at the lineup, and the intention, it has a worthwhile cause:

From Central Daily:

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. today announced its plans for a two-day summer music festival in Pittsburgh, PA this August 8 and 9. The New American Music Union festival combines some of the most innovative and popular artists with 15 of the country's best college bands. The lineup includes Bob Dylan and His Band, The Raconteurs, Gnarls Barkley, The Roots, Spoon, The Black Keys, Black Mountain, The Duke Spirit, NASA and Tiny Masters of Today and more to come.

American Eagle Outfitters created this festival to give college bands a national platform and the opportunity to share the stage with the artists that most inspire them. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 16 at 10 a.m. Eastern time. Student tickets are an affordable $25. General admission tickets are $49.50.

"Music is a defining influence in our customers' lives," said Kathy Savitt, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. "We're excited to offer AE customers the opportunity to see today's best musicians--both professionals and college acts--at a price that's unheard of for a summer festival of this caliber."

The college lineup is as follows:

College Bands
Bears (Kent State University)
Flying Machines (The New School)
Gospel Gossip (Carleton College)
Magic Bullets (University of California Berkley)
Math the Band (University of Massachusetts Dartmouth)
My Dear Disco (University of Michigan)
Nothing Unexpected (Robert Morris University)
The Black Fortys (University of Southern Illinois)
The Company Kang (Whitman College)
The Delicious (Indiana University)
The Depreciation Guild (New York University)
The Elizabethan Report (Brigham Young University)
The French Horn Rebellion (Northwestern University)
The Royal Bangs (University of Tennessee)
The Steps (University of Texas Austin)

The ticket price is a great deal for students, which is probably why American Eagle is sponsoring it - to subsidize the price.  But, no word yet on whether the winner of this collegiate battle of the bands will have to sign over their souls to American Eagle for a chance at a record deal, almost like American Idol but in a mall.

Go to livenation.com for tickets.