The dialog across the share venues are taking from band’s merch gross sales continues to warmth up. Put up-metal vets Russian Circles have change into the newest band to protest this problem by not promoting their merch at a present in Paris, France at the moment (March 22).
On Instagram, the band issued the next assertion, explaining that it was the venue’s resolution to contract somebody from a separate firm to promote the merch for the band that in the end led to declining to promote something on the gig.
“As you’re most likely conscious, merch gross sales are very important to conserving artists financially afloat whereas on tour. Venues usually take a share of merch income from artists, and their charges have gotten increased lately. At tonight’s present in Paris, the venue has enlisted an outdoor firm to promote artists’ merch,” the assertion begins.
Basically, the venue is contracting out the function that’s sometimes occupied by a touring band’s personal designated merch particular person. And with that, comes an additional share of the gross sales Russian Circles would have needed to forsake.
“This firm takes a 25 p.c fee and withholds a 20 p.c VAT tax,” the band, who final launched Gnosis in 2022, says of the monetary scenario, additional explaining, “Our choices look like both elevating our costs or dropping cash, so we’ve opted to not promote merch tonight. We apologize to our mates and followers in Paris who have been hoping to seize a shirt or LP on the present, however we do not need to partake on this association with this firm. If you would like our merch, it’s all the time accessible at Evil Greed. Thanks.”
READ MORE: New Trend? Another Metal Artist Refuses to Sell Merch at Show to Protest Venue Cuts
There is a rising refrain of rock and steel artists talking out in regards to the growing share of merch income venues are swiping from bands. With inflation driving touring prices approach up, it is elevated the chance issue for numerous bands, lots of whom already function on skinny margins. Even Anthrax needed to cancel an entire European tour due to these surging prices, together with the value of tour buses doubling or tripling in some situations.
Earlier this month, Monuments protested the high share of merch cuts by refusing to promote something at their present in Athens, Greece. Shortly after, Igorrr made the same decision.
And earlier than all that, Architects illustrated simply how severe this problem is by suggesting bands go on strike over these “insane” merch cuts, essentially the most excessive measure proposed up to now.
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