Indie band Los Campesinos! have broken down the “financial restrictions” of touring and revealed a significant “loss” from a one-off show in Dublin.
The band posted the breakdown of finances on their website in hopes that it would provide insight to fans into what it takes to go on tour.
“We always get asked ‘why don’t you ever come to play in XYZ’, and, though flattered, I personally also feel frustrated that there’s a lack of understanding as to the financial restrictions touring bands often face,” the website post read.
“I thought it might be interesting to break down the finances involved in playing one-off shows, or shows in locations that aren’t the approximately 25 different cities we know that we have a relatively large fanbase in. I will add, the following isn’t a breakdown of what it would cost every band to play this sort of gig, it’s a breakdown of what it specifically costs Los Campesinos! to do a gig like this.”
The breakdown of costs included money made from show fees and merch sales, as well as outgoings including travel, haulage, accommodation, crew wages and essentials such as food.
In total, for the one-off gig that the band played at Dublin venue the Button Factory, they earned £6,151.59. However, they spent £7,863.88, resulting in a total loss of £1,712.29.
In The Black Stuff
https://t.co/RLmCqnOb5w
A detailed breakdown of the finances of our recent sold out show in Dublin, Ireland.
Hoping this provides some insight into what it takes to get the LC! show on the road. pic.twitter.com/aA7CAAbAcW— Los Campesinos! (@LosCampesinos) March 6, 2025
“If there’s a take home message from this, it’s nothing to do with LC!, and everything to do with new and young musicians who’d perhaps like to progress to the level we’re at, and well beyond,” the post read. “Of course, a new band won’t have the level of outgoings as we do, but their show fee and especially merch income will also be much reduced.
“Without the backing/protection of wealthy family (and it’s clear to see that UK guitar/pop music is overrun by the middle class and private school rich kids), or being sold a dream by an albatross of a recording advance/management company, what hope does anyone have?”
Last year Michael Kiwanuka expressed his “worry” that rising touring costs could deter new musicians from playing live.
The singer-songwriter opened up about the issue during a new interview with Music Week, and explained that he has already felt the strain from playing outdoor gigs throughout the summer. “I just finished festival season and I could feel the hole it made in my pocket,” he began.
“If it gets too pricey, you can’t do that. I worry that the quality of artists we produce may diminish because they don’t learn the grassroots, what it is to play and connect with your audience.”
Similarly, at the start of 2024, members of Blur, the band formerly known as Easy Life, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly and more told NME about the huge battles artists face when playing live, as well as how they hope the industry will improve going forward.
The struggles faced by both emerging and established artists when it comes to playing live was further highlighted by Featured Artists Coalition’s CEO David Martin in February, when he spoke about how the rapid decline of grassroots venues is taking a toll on the UK talent.
The post Los Campesinos! break down “financial restrictions” when touring, reveal significant “loss” from one-off gig appeared first on NME.
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