The company is implementing new changes to support artists during the coronavirus pandemic.
Bandcamp has announced that it’s waiving its revenue share of all sales. The measure will be placed into effect this Friday (20 March) and last until midnight (PST).
The change comes amidst the cancellations and postponements of events and tours. “With such a major revenue stream drying up almost entirely, finding ways to continue supporting artists in the coming months is now an urgent priority for anyone who cares about music and the artists who create it,” Bandcamp has stated on its website.
“For many artists, a single day of boosted sales can mean the difference between being able to pay rent or not,” Bandcamp added. “Still, we consider this just a starting point. Musicians will continue to feel the effects of lost touring income for many months to come”.
Furthermore, the platform has urged music fans to spend money and discover new artists through the site. For musicians, Bandcamp has suggested that they check out the Artist Guide. The company has highlighted that, during this time, musicians may find it useful to connect with others in the Bandcamp community and offer merch to replace the revenue they would otherwise have gained from touring.
This week, Boris Johnson called for the UK population to avoid clubs, pubs and theatres. He stated in a press conference that the government will no longer support mass gatherings. Music Venue Trust has shared an open letter calling for the government to cancel the Festival of Great Britain and support grassroots culture instead. You can sign it here.
