Bandcamp is expanding its aid for independent artists by waiving its revenue sharing once again. After dropping all fees for one day in March, the company has announced plans to repeat those actions on the first Friday of the next three months.
“On March 20, 2020, we waived our revenue share in order to help artists and labels impacted by the pandemic,” co-founder and CEO Ethan Diamond said in a statement on the company’s website. “The Bandcamp community showed up in a massive way, spending $4.3 million on music and merch — 15x the amount of a normal Friday — helping artists cover rents, mortgages, groceries, medications and so much more. It was truly inspiring.
“But the pandemic and its impact on the music community aren’t over, so on May 1, June 5 and July 3 (the first Friday of each month), we’re waiving our revenue share for all sales on Bandcamp, from midnight to midnight PDT on each day.”
Bandcamp’s efforts are a significant boon for indie artists who are unable to tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Many touring artists are stuck without their main source of income for the foreseeable future as the world waits on a coronavirus vaccine. Until that light at the end of the tunnel emerges, most artists will be relying on merchandise and digital music sales.
Bandcamp typically claims a 15 percent share of digital sales and 10 percent for physical merchandise. Now, fans can put extra money in artists’ pockets by making purchases the site on May 1, June 5 and July 3.
Sign up for a free Bandcamp account here.