For 24 hours, Bandcamp is waiving its revenue share for all sales.
That's right, from 5pm EST today, 3 July, until 5pm EST tomorrow, 4 July, the funds will instead be directed straight to artists to help them cover rent, mortgages, groceries, medications, and much more... the essential stuff.Bandcamp first staged the initiative in March when the COVID-19 pandemic started wrecking life for everyone. Music fans came to the party, spending $4.3 million on music and merch (x15 the usual amount sold on a Friday).
Bandcamp has done it twice since, netting another $12 million combined. Many artists and organisations then chose to donate to organisations fighting for racial equity.
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact all of us, and artists have been hit especially hard as tours and shows are canceled for the foreseeable future.
With such a major revenue stream drying up almost entirely, finding ways to continue supporting artists in the coming months is an urgent priority for anyone who cares about music and the artists who create it.
On March 20, 2020, we waived our revenue share in order to help artists and labels impacted by the pandemic. The Bandcamp community showed up in a massive way, spending $4.3 million on music and merch - x15 the amount of a normal Friday— helping artists cover rents, mortgages, groceries, medications, and so much more. It was truly inspiring.
On May 1, 2020, we did it again and fans paid artists $7.1 million – amazing!
On June 5, 2020, fans paid artists $4.8 million, and so many artists and labels used the day to donate to organisations fighting for racial equity.
But the pandemic and its impact on the music community aren’t over, so on July 3, we’re waiving our revenue share for all sales on Bandcamp.
Musicians will continue to feel the effects of lost touring income for many months to come, so we’re also sharing some ideas on how fans can support the artists they love and how artists can give fans new, creative ways to provide support.
It may sound simple, but the best way to help artists is with your direct financial support, and we hope you’ll join us as we work to support artists in this challenging time.
Ethan Diamond
Co-Founder & CEO
Bandcamp
With such a major revenue stream drying up almost entirely, finding ways to continue supporting artists in the coming months is an urgent priority for anyone who cares about music and the artists who create it.
On March 20, 2020, we waived our revenue share in order to help artists and labels impacted by the pandemic. The Bandcamp community showed up in a massive way, spending $4.3 million on music and merch - x15 the amount of a normal Friday— helping artists cover rents, mortgages, groceries, medications, and so much more. It was truly inspiring.
On May 1, 2020, we did it again and fans paid artists $7.1 million – amazing!
On June 5, 2020, fans paid artists $4.8 million, and so many artists and labels used the day to donate to organisations fighting for racial equity.
But the pandemic and its impact on the music community aren’t over, so on July 3, we’re waiving our revenue share for all sales on Bandcamp.
Musicians will continue to feel the effects of lost touring income for many months to come, so we’re also sharing some ideas on how fans can support the artists they love and how artists can give fans new, creative ways to provide support.
It may sound simple, but the best way to help artists is with your direct financial support, and we hope you’ll join us as we work to support artists in this challenging time.
Ethan Diamond
Co-Founder & CEO
Bandcamp
