Bandcamp
Artist-direct platform where fans purchase music and merchandise with artists receiving 80-85% of sales.
Definition
Bandcamp is a music distribution platform that prioritizes direct artist-to-fan sales over streaming. Artists sell digital downloads, physical merchandise, and vinyl directly through their Bandcamp pages, keeping 80-85% of revenue (compared to fractions of a cent per stream on other platforms).
The platform has cultivated a community of dedicated music fans willing to pay for albums. Bandcamp Fridays - where the company waives its revenue share - have become events that generate millions in artist revenue.
Why It Matters
Bandcamp represents the most artist-friendly economic model in digital music. For independent artists without major label support, Bandcamp sales can generate more revenue than millions of streams on other platforms.
The platform's fan following features create email list-like direct communication channels, valuable for tour announcements and release marketing.
Examples in Practice
Bandcamp Friday events have generated over $100 million in artist revenue since launching in 2020, with fans intentionally timing purchases to maximize artist earnings.
Independent artists often make Bandcamp their primary release platform, using other DSPs for discovery while driving fans to Bandcamp for purchases.
The platform's physical merchandise integration allows artists to sell vinyl, cassettes, and merch alongside digital downloads, creating one-stop shopping for superfans.