Direct-to-fan platform Bandcamp has revealed that artists and labels have been paid out $154 million through its Bandcamp Friday initiative for the reason that program’s launch in March 2020.
The corporate launched Bandcamp Fridays on the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic when lockdowns impacted the earnings of indie artists from excursions and exhibits. The most recent determine represents a $31 million improve from the $123 million Bandcamp reported in Could 2024.
This yr alone, Bandcamp Fridays noticed payouts of $19 million from followers on to artists and labels, topping the prior yr’s whole.
Bandcamp usually takes 15% of digital gross sales and 10% of bodily items. On Bandcamp Fridays, it Bandcamp waives its income share to let musicians and labels maintain the complete buy worth when followers purchase music or merch. The corporate stated December’s occasion generated greater than $3.8 million in 24 hours, the very best single-day whole of the yr.
Bandcamp added that artists obtain a median of 82% of gross sales on common days by means of the platform’s artist-first enterprise mannequin, contributing to over $1.5 billion that Bandcamp has paid out to artists and labels up to now, the platform stated on Thursday (December 18).
As of writing, Bandcamp’s web site says the platform has seen followers pay artists $1.64 billion, with 77,031 information bought through Bandcamp yesterday alone.
Dan Melnick, Common Supervisor at Bandcamp, stated: “5 years on, Bandcamp Fridays proceed to indicate simply how highly effective direct fan assist will be.”
“2025 was one other sensible yr for artists and labels, capped by our strongest Friday of the yr, and we’re extremely excited to deliver much more alternatives to the neighborhood in 2026, increasing to eight subsequent yr.”
“2025 was one other sensible yr for artists and labels, capped by our strongest Friday of the yr, and we’re extremely excited to deliver much more alternatives to the neighborhood in 2026, increasing to eight subsequent yr.”
Dan Melnick, Bandcamp
The platform plans to run eight Bandcamp Fridays in 2026: February 6, March 6, Could 1, August 7, September 4, October 2, November 6 and December 4.
In September, Bandcamp launched a brand new subscription service that offers customers entry to month-to-month file picks, listening events, suggestions and unique artist content material. The ‘Bandcamp Golf equipment’ characteristic launched with a USD $13-a-month subscription price and provides a “subscribe-to-own” music discovery expertise.
Melnick stated on the time: “As a substitute of algorithms, followers get human-curated picks from among the finest DJs and journalists of their respective areas, unique interviews with artists, and neighborhood listening events.”
Based in 2008, Bandcamp launched as a direct-to-consumer various to file labels for artists. It has since expanded its providers to incorporate options resembling ticketed live-streaming and vinyl urgent.
Artists like Peter Gabriel and Bjork have positioned their catalogs on the platform.
In 2022, Fortnite developer Epic Video games acquired Bandcamp and bought it to music licensing platform Songtradr in 2023.
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