Architects encourage bands to strike in protest of “insane” venue merchandise cuts
Members of Shinedown, Silent Planet and You Me At Six have already shown support for the proposal.
Image: Chiaki Nozu/Getty
Architects drummer Dan Searle has called upon bands to go on strike in retaliation against the extortionate cuts of merch sales, taken by venues.
The British metalcore band are currently on tour in Australia, although Searle is unable to join them due to personal business at home. However, that hasn’t prevented the drummer from getting involved in the logistics of touring, and addressing the financial struggles that follow.
Specifically, the drummer has spoken out against the “insane” cut of merch profits taken by the venues – which can often be as high as 25% – and encouraged bands to consider refusing to play live until a change is made.
“Hey @bands when are we gonna go on strike and get rid of these insane venue merch cuts?” He tweeted on Sunday (19 February), adding: “Or maybe we don’t play until we get a cut of the bar? Can we just get this done asap please?”
Hey @bands when are we gonna go on strike and get rid of these insane venue merch cuts? Or maybe we don’t play until we get a cut of the bar? Can we just get this done asap please?
— Dan Searle (@danarchitects) February 19, 2023
The comments have already provoked a wave of support from other artists across the rock scene, including Shinedown guitarist Zach Myers, You Me At Six’s Josh Franceschi and Silent Planet’s Alex Camarena.
Architects’ vocalist Sam Carter also rallied alongside his bandmate, sharing an example of the treatment the band received in Melbourne, and the hefty cut of the profits that the venue took.
Venue in Melbourne took 15% and it took four hours for them to get our merch girl a light 👍 https://t.co/QWsZmZLrs2
— sam carter (@samarchitects) February 20, 2023
Understanding that, in many cases, merch sales are the band’s main source of income, some fans have also taken to social media to suggest ways that artists can retain the profits made from their merchandise.
“The solution is simple. Buy a big ass truck, park it in the parking lot at the venue or nearby, fill it with merch and sell it out the back of it like a food truck. Venue gets nothing.” one user wrote.
Another encouraged the band to add an optional merchandise fee to their ticket sales. This is something Searle says the band is currently considering.
We are thinking about doing this.
— Dan Searle (@danarchitects) February 19, 2023
For now, Architects are continuing with their scheduled tour dates. Find tickets to their remaining shows on Ticketmaster.