With the coronavirus pandemic bringing all touring and concert activity to a halt, bands are scrambling to find ways to support themselves. Music streaming service Bandcamp is stepping up and waiving all revenue fees this Friday to help put more money into artist coffers during these trying times.
RELATED: Everyone’s Tours Are Cancelled—Buy Their Music Instead
“To raise even more awareness around the pandemic’s impact on musicians everywhere, we’re waiving our revenue share on sales this Friday, March 20 (from midnight to midnight Pacific Time), and rallying the Bandcamp community to put much needed money directly into artists’ pockets,” reads a post on the Bandcamp website.
To support musicians during the Covid-19 pandemic, Bandcamp is waiving our revenue share on all sales this Friday, March 20, from midnight to midnight PST.
Read more here: https://t.co/hPhgm7WBR4 pic.twitter.com/HDyjdvBQet
— bandcamp (@Bandcamp) March 17, 2020
“For many artists, a single day of boosted sales can mean the difference between being able to pay rent or not,” the post continues, written by Bandcamp co-founder and CEO Ethan Diamond. “Still, we consider this just a starting point. Musicians will continue to feel the effects of lost touring income for many months to come, so we’re also sharing some ideas below on how fans can support the artists they love and how artists can give fans new, creative ways to provide support.”
The post goes on to detail how fans and artists alike can support those in need, stressing that there is an even wider network of people who are suffering from the cancellations: “Many others within the music industry are being impacted as well, including record store owners and staff, tour managers, event producers, venue staff, lighting and sound professionals, janitors, photographers, bartenders, security guards, and more. We encourage you to find ways to reach out and support those affected in your local communities.”
Ultimately, The Mountain Goats said it best:
Bandcamp is so awesome and sometimes when I think “the modern age is trash” the first thing I think as I’m coming to my senses is “but hold up, Bandcamp” https://t.co/FYD9UTREAD
— The Mountain Goats (@mountain_goats) March 17, 2020
