Bandcamp Fridays have raised $40 million for artists this year

This year's awesome Bandcamp Fridays initiative has been a huge success, with CEO Ethan Diamond revealing that an incredible $40 million has reached in-need artists and labels in 2020.

"On the first Friday of every month since March, we’ve waived our revenue share to help support the many artists who have seen their livelihoods disrupted by the pandemic," writes Ethan in a statement as the year draws to a close. "Over the course of these nine days, fans paid artists and labels $40 million dollars, helping cover rents, mortgages, groceries, medications, and much more. If you’re among the nearly 800,000 fans who participated, thank you."

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Happily, Ethan continues that Bandcamp Fridays will be continuing next year as things are still looking relatively uncertain right now.

"Although vaccines are starting to roll out, it will likely be several months before live performance revenue starts to return," he adds. "So we’re going to continue doing Bandcamp Fridays in 2021, on February 5, March 5, April 2, and May 7. As always, isitbandcampfriday.com has the details.

"If you’ve started to feel guilty about buying music on any day other than Bandcamp Friday, here’s something to keep in mind: on Bandcamp Fridays, an average of 93% of your money reaches the artist/label (after payment processor fees). When you make a purchase on any other day of the month (as 2.5 million of you have since March, buying an additional $145 million worth of music and merch) an average of 82% reaches the artist/label. Every day is a good day to directly support artists on Bandcamp!"

A big shoutout to everyone who helped keep funds coming in for those in the music industry in 2020. See you next year…

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