Since the start of the pandemic, direct-to-fan platform Bandcamp has been waiving its revenue share for one day each month, on so called ‘Bandcamp Fridays’.
So far, according to the platform, those days (eight of them) have raised $35 million for artists, which is in addition to the $126m that artists have been paid by fans via the platform since March.
Now, the company is launching a new ticketed live streaming service called Bandcamp Live, and it will be waiving its 10% fee for the service until March 3, 2021.
Bandcamp Live is fully integrated with the Bandcamp platform, so fans will be automatically notified when artists announce shows.
Artists can also showcase their music and merchandise next to their streams in a virtual merch table.
An optional chat box will also be available and purchases from the merch table will appear in chat, which Bandcamp states will help drive more sales.
Bandcamp, which will start charging a 10% fee after March 31, 2021 insists that its “pricing is completely transparent”.
Adds the platform: “We don’t pretend our ticketing service is free and then surprise your fans with a ‘convenience fee’ when they check out. You set your ticket price to whatever you want, and that’s what your fans are charged.”
“Bandcamp Live is the next step in our effort to help our community thrive during this crazy time.”
Bandcamp
“Bandcamp Live is the next step in our effort to help our community thrive during this crazy time,” writes the company in a blog post.
“Streaming will never replace the experience of in-person performances, but we believe it’s the next best thing, and will provide artists with a powerful tool to build and connect with their fans both now, and when Covid is behind us and we’re all out enjoying the magic of live music once again.”Music Business Worldwide
