The ongoing dispute between touring musicians and concert venues over merchandise cuts took a direct hit this week. Alternative metal band Silent Planet chose to give away their merch for free rather than submit to steep vendor fees during their recent stop in Milan, Italy.
Merch rates remain a massive point of contention in the live music industry. Usually agreed upon prior to a gig, venues often claim an average of 20% from a band’s gross merchandise income. Compounding the financial hit, touring artists regularly face heavy local taxes and are sometimes forced to use the venue’s own staff to run their sales tables.
While serving as the opening act for The Plot In You at the Alcatraz venue in Milan on Tuesday night, June 9, Silent Planet decided to push back against the local promoter. Before taking the stage, the band released a statement on social media detailing the severe financial demands placed on them and outlining their planned protest.
“Tonight’s venue in Milan is not allowing us to sell our own merch, and demanding a 25% gross vendor fee (merch rate) and an additional 22% tax. We believe this business model is predatory and cannot afford to lose money on our own merch, especially so far from home. However, I’ve spoken with so many of you outside the venue already, and I know many have traveled far to be here. So we will be throwing out shirts during the set, and will also provide a discount code for those who isn’t to purchase our merch online.”
The group stayed completely true to their word. During the band’s set, frontman Garrett Russell was filmed tossing free t-shirts directly into the audience mid-song, successfully bypassing the venue’s merchandise booth and giving back directly to their fans.
Silent Planet is currently wrapping up their European tour. Notably, the trek will conclude with two bold appearances in Ukraine later this month, as the group pushes forward with live shows despite the country’s ongoing war with Russia.
Silent Planet’s Remaining dates for the European tour:
- June 12 – Donington, UK – Download Festival
- June 13 – Hradec Kralove, CZE – Rock For People
- June 15 – Nurnberg, GER – Z-Bau (with Rain City Drive)
- June 16 – Hannover, GER – Faust
- June 18 – Warsaw, POL – Summer Punch Festival
- June 20 – Kyiv, UKR – Atlas Club
- June 21 – Lviv, UKR – Festrepublic Club
