@@stevenfairclough5745 Because of the safety involved, a lot of the times. I'll tell you right now if I got offered a merch gig for a band but they said I had to do it outside of the venue with no security, I'm not doing it. That's inviting a shit ton of liability issues.
As a concert goer who used to like to get shirts at shows because they differed from the shirts on the website or at stores, I would recommend that bands give ticket holders a special code to get the special shirts at the bands' websites for the same show as the ticket. Maybe the code could also give a discounted price for the merch as well. This way the bands get the money and the fans get a special shirt. I no longer go out of my way to get shirts due to the prices of said shirts. Couple that with the price for the tickets, travel and parking, I am spend a ton of cash for a night out.
That is sadly how it is for me now. I used to always grab merch at shows, but the prices have become pretty insane. Not blaming the bands obviously, but I can't justify spending $90 on a hoodie with the bands' name in font size 10 Times New Roman.
I was the same way. I had a shit ton of shirts from the concerts I attended. They were usually around $20 for bigger bands/venues, less for club size places. I remember seeing tee shirts for $40 and decided the time for that was over (for me).
But venues don't wanna give up a percentage of their food, beverage, and alcohol sales to a band. But will demand to take a merch percent in their contracts.
This comment needs so many more upvotes and visibility. This is the two-faced nature of the industry. Too much is never enough with these goddamned vultures.
What makes it worse is there are people out there that will argue “well the bands aren’t paying to stock the bar” but the irony is the venues aren’t paying to stock the merch. I played in a band for years and did some touring. About 10% of our merch sales were profit. CDs were the most profitable thing to sell and those stop selling years ago. Every shirt you don’t sell because all those people who asked for small or xxxl shirts didn’t buy them cost money also.
Well there not selling alcohol when bands are not there. I see the seesaw argument of it all. There letting bands sell merchandise in their venue. OK well we are bringing fans in to your venue to buy food and alcohol. Either both give up a percent or just wash it you take yours and we'll take ours.
I mean, most smaller venues are barely staying afloat these days. I know in my area we went from having 5 venues in my city to having 1 in the past ~20 years. The sad truth is that live music is kind of dying out in favor of streaming/youtube, and so these small venues have to do what they can to keep hosting shows.
25% merch fee? That's insane. I always buy merch at the shows I go to. It's a memento for the show. Every time I see one of shirts or hoodies, I remember that show and who I was with. I'd hate to lose out on that because of stuff like this.
Last "big" gig I went to, I really wanted to have a memento for personal reasons. Unfortunately a patch was ten quid over the ticket price, the t shirts were well over a hundred and the hoodies were almost two hundred. Checked online and the band got nothing from it, the discography and the venue got it all. Asian music business is nuts, top that with big cities westerner venues, post covid prices, cost of living crisis and we have a nice and expensive cocktail.
It's actually also the only place to buy cool tour shirts. I've never seen tour shirts online on the band's websites or anywhere else, so I always try to get my hands on the tour shirts directly at the venue...
I like how music has become what shirt you are wearing instead of it being about the music. You all can blame yourselves for them going after the only thing you guys care about...
@@skatinsince97 I think you need to read my comment again because you clearly don't understand it. I go to shiws because I love the music, I but a shirt because I want to support the music and get a momento. Plus talking with people in the merch line is fun. You need to check your attitude.
@@williamwinstrop3918 When making accusations of unoriginal takes, I expect a little better than a response in the style of Chat GPT... Then again, I suppose Ronnie's fans are kinda known for low standards!
Ronnie can be difficult, to say the least, but he's really on point here. You can't say he's wrong about this stuff. These days, merch prices at shows are insane. Completely insane. That being said... What a little diva he is for blocking you lol.
I 100% agree with that summary. Merch prices are fucked also in europe. in the last 10 years price hikes of 2x \ 200%. I unterstand the post-covid struggles even for venues, but no one here earns 2x of staff, artists, fans. Even Inflation did not add up to 200%. This is just exploiting. The bands even need to organize the selling \ staff at the merch stands. It's just a fee for the setup, essentially a glorified flea market sellers fee for the stands.
My biggest issue with merch fees is that most people buying merch have no idea that x% of what you pay goes to the venue or promoter. Tank, you have educated me on the way it is; but not everyone has the benefit of your wisdom, and before I found your channel, I thought that all the cash I stumped up went to the band, minus taxes. The venues where I worked over the years basically said, here's a space; you can set up there, and that was the end of dealing with merch sales.
or, in many places you pay a flat fee for any space you require to set a stall up and that is the end of it. Many conventions and trade-shows are run this way.
Did the venue provide you with equipment and pos? If so why would you expect such things to be free? The fee makes sense it's just gotten exorbitant, mostly due to live nation existing. They are so large whatever they do becomes the standard.
I was doing front of house for a band in Paris at the beginning of the year, the venue also wanted to charge a 25% fee ON TOP of a 20% VAT tax they would withhold. We too opted to not sell merch after realizing almost HALF of our merch income was going to be taken from us. Shit is absolutely wild. Also worth mentioning that we were touring with a merch person but the venue hired an outside company to sell and wouldn't allow us to do it ourselves.
@@Raptor_Jesus. - "...make fun of France." I have a friend who did a transport a while back. It was supposed to be an easy job, straight forward to the destination, but without going in to details it had to be re-routed via France. Again, not going in to details, afterwards my friend said "Never ever France again!". / B.
ive seen a lot more bands selling their merch online on their own sites before the concert bc they can sell at a discount compared to higher prices at the venues. Like buying a shirt and having it shipped is like 30 compared 45 at the concert
During the last Iron Maiden US tour, the cost of the shipping was the exact same amount as the cost of the venue upcharge and I thoroughly enjoyed just buying my merch from the floor of the venue inbetween acts instead of waiting in a merch line for 30 minutes
Subbed when you were doing reactions but in all honesty, getting your takes on these stories is really refreshing and keeps me coming back more. The knowledge you have from being on the inside of the touring industry for so long is a breath of fresh air. Keep on keeping on man.
Hey Tank! Thank you for covering this topic!! I am personally a venue Merch seller so I am used to getting paid out by bands but not a percentage like that. Just a flat fee for services rendered. This video was popping up in my feed and I had no idea what it was about so I really appreciate you adding all the context to this video and scenario. I really enjoy your video content and thorough coverage of topics as someone who also works in music venues and with the artists as well. 👍👍👍
He was garbage at rock fest in cadot WI. He played only what he was contracted to and stopped mid set. He also said cadot sucks and complained about us on his social media. He also said he would maybe come back if everyone bought enough merch. Guy SUCKS.
I’m so bummed to hear that your reactions were interpreted as clickbait. I really enjoyed your reactions and your take on their music and videos. I think it means so much more when it comes from someone in the industry. I appreciate your videos; they are very informative, and I love that you take as objective an approach as possible on all of these topics. 👏👏👏
@@KatherineK9beef castle was taken and ran with not to mention that he complimented tanks indepth knowledge of all the work put into the production as well as references.
Yea its called recession. At catastrophic levels it means collapse of economy. Australia is also on the fast track to becoming a 3rd world country within the next 50-100 years if we cant get our money grubbing cunts out of power ASAP. They will suck us dry and fuck off to a tax haven while we are left with a Mad Max country.
The funny thing is that half of these things genuinely weren't terrible 20 or so years ago. I'd like to say around 2013 is when things turned for the worst. So yeah, adding the "late stage" part is accurate. @@phanaticz
When I buy merch I just do it on the band's website. The whole point of buying merch is to support the band, this way I can be sure that the money is going to them
Maaaaan what video did you do that pissed him off? 😂😂 This is one of the channels that helped me get deeper into metal, so big thanks for everything you do and cover 💪🏽
If we're being perfectly honest, it doesn't take much to set Ronnie off. Unless I'm losing my mind, I remember Tank sticking up for him a few times, so I can't imagine it was anything reasonable.
@@gatling216 you're wrong, at least it depends on what do you mean by "much". I think making gross pokes which aren't funny when the other one is pissed and vulnerable is a shitty thing.
Tank was making typical internet jokes towards someone who lives on the internet. Ronnie blocked him and turned it into a soap opera while victimizing himself because he can't stand being criticized, even as a joke. @@someinamillion1020
Good episode. I had always thought that bands had made their money from record sales, and concerts. I didn't learn about merch sales until I started watching your channel. Now I'm really angry at venues for gouging bands for merch profits. There's a business end that not all fans/viewers don't know about. If I've learned anything from watching your channel it's that merch keeps the wheels greesed for bands to continue to be at a venue near you. Thanks Tank! Love your channel!
my favorite way to get merch is actually when pre-ordering the vinyl online there is usually a good package deal. For instance, when I pre-ordered Sleep Token's "This Place Will Become Your Tomb" I also got a long sleeved t-shirt all for about $60. It's not a massive discount, but it's something.
Do you know any venue managers that could talk about the finances of the venue itself? It would be fantastic to get an idea of how much the venue has to spend on employees, insurance, utilities, etc. vs how much is going directly into the pockets of Live Nation or an independent owner.
musicians that play at stadiums also just want to make a ton of money which is why they are playing at stadiums where the sound quality sucks and fans in seats far from the stage can barely see.
Instead of venues taking a cut of merch sales, I don't understand why they don't institute a flat rate "sales space" rental fee. I think that would make a lot more sense all around and be a lot easier to justify. In most venues, merch tables are set up in otherwise vacant floor space, or in a space that could be used to sell food & drink. That floor space would therefore be open as a different revenue stream for the venue if not in use for the artist selling merch. So it makes sense that a venue would want to recoup the loss of that revenue stream that would otherwise go to them. But taking a cut of merch sales, which the venue (usually) has absolutely nothing to do with is silly. The venue is space, so they should charge based on space.
Here's the thing, that should flat out already be part of renting the venue as a whole, not some extra bullshit just to bleed money from working musicians and promoters
@@yuugur666 Bands should just not use Live Nation venues! Oh wait, LN bought up most of their competition and unless you wanna tour only in dive bars you have to go through LN. Totally not a monopoly though!
Been following you for awhile and I love your content. Your knowledge of the business side of the music industry is very valuable and we appreciate you sharing your perspective on certain things. This video was definitely a topic that need to be discussed. On another note I really don’t understand why any band would not want their music reacted to by UA-camrs. You would think they’d be all for that as that would help the artist fan base continue to grow.
Best idea I’ve seen lately and I have personally experienced is doing Pop Up Stores next to the venue, WARGASM (UK) did a pop up at a bar/pub next to the venue itself on Friday and the venue only needed the rental of an area which costed peanuts because the whole point was to bring fans in for a pint and social space before the show. It just works
I saw a band over the summer who was doing a small-venue tour. Because they were just driving a van with a trailer for their gear, they couldn't pack a lot of shirts. What they did was print up a QR code you could scan that would take you to their website where you could buy the exact same shirts. (The website also had a note mentioning that the band was on tour and orders would be filled after the tour ended.) That's all bands have to do. Print up cards with a URL or QR code that takes you to the band's web shop and offer the same merch. This is also good for people who don't want to stand in line at concerts.
You mentioned it briefly, but it needs emphasis - If venues stopped taking merch fees, they WILL take the money elsewhere. They're not just going to willingly take less money. Expect prices for everything to go up. That doesn't mean it's a bad thing. It's like our tipping culture subsidizes the wages of service workers, merch fees arguably subsidize your ticket or your beer.
Yes and no, lots of shady pricing practices with venues and part is due to the venues while part is due to ticketmaster and other BS. At the end of the day though, a venue can only charge so much and metalheads are creative and love thier merch. The club can't charge stadium fees and if bands saw what tickets were going for and saw the venue massovely overcharging then I could easily see a band rebelling in some way.
@@igtut1 Yeah, I was fully with em for the start of that, but that last bit.. Homie they subsidies their greed with the beer and snacks, they take a HUGE profit off of it, yeah, they'll bend you over a different barrel, but don't you dare pretend they aren't already elbow deep.
@@Man0War_Loki Tipping is not an option in many countries because they think you're looking down on staff and saying they don't make enough. Tipping is a *NECESSITY* in America because we look down on staff and don't let them make enough.
I 10000000000% agree Ronnie on this one. What we got to do is find out where the property line for a venue ends and sell merch outside of the grasp of their greedy hands.
A lot of the smaller venues (1,000 - 4,000 capacity) I've been to in the UK charge 15% for the venue staff to sell merch, 10% if the artists / crew sell the merch. Venues say that the charge is there because they are supplying additional space for the merch stands and that never quite sat right with me. I've been on both sides of the argument as I've been a touring audio tech and a venue tech, I'm not sure what the answer is but it can't continue being handled the way that it is right now.
Ronnie is interesting character and generally, he rubs me wrong, but even broken clocks are right twice a day. As always, Tank, you find the devil in the details, but that's exactly where artists get nickel-and-dimed to death. Everyone has their hands in the pocket of the bands or artists. It's just enough already.
Great info Tank!!! Find it sad that Ronnie thinks you are doing things for “click bait.” I feel you always wear your emotions on your sleeve and react whole heartedly. Side note, didn’t he react to your reactions a few times lol. Isn’t that “click bait” 😉. Keep up the good work!!!
In Flames, Gojira and another Swedish band did this as well back in 2008/2009 in Stockholm, Sweden. Anders Fridén went off against the venue and Live Nation from the stage just as Ronnie did. I totally support artists giving the big 🖕 against bloodsucking leeches who want to steal money from artists if they have their own merch crew. However, if the venue or an affiliated merch company takes full responsibility together with the merch manager, then a 15% fee should be enough to pay the local merch staff, rent the designated area, and make some money for the company.
Look at the price of water at a venue to get an idea of how shady they really are. I paid $6 for a bottle of water at a show last summer. A venue that pulls bs like that is likely to pull bs like high merch fees.
How much was in the bottle? If its 1l its an okay price. But I guess not. Thats something I would critizie as well. If I remember it correct I once had to pay 4€ for 300ml.
This comment is slightly off topic buuuuut, I love how your content has evolved. When you mentioned doing reactions it made me think that I don't think I actually watch any of those channels anymore. I still watch all your videos because they're relevant, informative and interesting. The only other person who I may watch a video here and there is Kardavox but it's very rare I watch anything from him at the moment. But yeah, kinda off topic but I enjoy how your content has evolved with the changing times and also as your audience has matured.
The number of people making themselves wealthy by skimming off bands like this is revolting. I dont understand how people think its ok thst a record company can end up owning 95% of the profits of a bands work, for example. Thanks for talking about this, Tank. Things have to change.
On the last statement: it is absolutely true that venues would not exist without artists and their fans. Venues were created with that exact purpose. Artists could set up a gig in a field if they so chose. Venues have the privilege of hosting acts and I would argue artists don’t owe them a damn thing.
Create unique QR codes for each venue and have the codes point to a limited sale on you site that's 10% off select items...you're taking a small hit up front but you're rewarding the fans for using you're preferred avenue of sale. Surly they can't ding you for promoting your own store front. Have members of the band wear select merch to further the drive and let the fans know that it's new and limited. All of this has the added benefit of reducing storage needed on the road as well as reduction of fuel expenses. Still sell where the juice is worth the squeeze but use the QR system as a bugout strategy for those more exploitative venues.
I was talking to a drummer in one touring band that said he LOVED coming to Canada as the small clubs they went to never charged merch fees. Mind you this was a few years back.
I work for a Live Nation venue, and I can say with 99% certainty it’s because of the size of the venue. FIR is an arena/amphitheater level band. The merch break is for club level venues, as you mentioned in your edit. I’m willing to bet every venue they played on that tour took a merch cut, but, I doubt they were all that steep.
I recall seeing James Taylor long ago... probably 30 years ago. He is hilarious live. This night, he was roasting his own concessions. He joked if anyone wanted to buy a copy of his CD at three times the market value, they were available at the very expensive tshirt booth.
@@blarfroer8066 Well, for small bands in small venues yes, maybe still. Festivalshirts were up to 30€ this year at the two events I attended. I went to a Nightwish concert in Hamburg (Barclaycard Arena) back in 2018, they charged 45€ for a shirt(!) and even much more for a hoodie, can't remember how much, probably 70-80€. And that's almost 2 years before C19 happened...
I 100% support him on this. If someone told me I had to give them a cut of my merch it would get nasty real quick. We are the show, we are the reason people are here and purchased tickets, you are not getting a cut of merch we purchased with our own money that has no connection to the venue. This is disgusting and would shit on the venue for this as well.
Maybe it's different in the US, but I've been reluctant (in Canada) to buy merch online lately cause the shipping cost is so high. $40 for a tee and the $35 for shipping. I can't justify $75 for a tee 😔
I recognize that, being a fan of Japanese bands is even worse in that sense. It's the same fees + customs and sometimes the delivery company/postal service take an extra cut on top of that (at least here in Belgium). I have imported a lot of stuff from Japan over the last couple of years, mainly cd's and blu-rays but also some merch and it gets very expensive really quickly.
You guys think that's bad I live in New Zealand and you can basically double any product price and that's your shipping from the states and that's before customs tax. I got a game from Limited Run that was $50 USD, $80NZD. When shipping and customs tax was added , it cost me just over $200 NZD, $123 USD. It is by far the most expensive video game I ever bought.
honestly, everything he does feels deeply performative. He's jumped into the conversation like... 1yr - 6months too late he's honestly just rehashing and screaming sht other bands have been screaming about for years and basically told to be grateful or shut up by the community
In reference to your comments in the beginning: I learned of Falling in Reverse from your channels. They were one of my top 5 bands this year on my Spotify. So...maybe you did it for clicks? Doesn't matter, you made me a huge fan. So there's that.
The funny part about it is, that Ronnie watches a lot of reaction channels when he releases music, so in my opinion, it looks like he only has a problem with Tank because tank disagrees with his opinions and shit like that, so Ronnie has a problem with him 🤷♂️ he’s a child so it’s not shocking
@@andyjaniszewski2130I think it was with Zombified or Voices in My Head Ronnie not only on Twitter but also in interviews said he supports the reactors and find them an exellent new way of spreading music
The "broken clock being right twice a day" analogy works here. It's not like band merch appears out of the ether for free. The bands spend a lot of money producing their wares. To then be told that their net is going to be that much lighter on top of it, has to be infuriating. I have generally operated on the principle that buying merch at the show was the best way to directly support the bands I like. If I knew going in the door that Live Nation was pocketing a quarter of that money, I probably wouldn't buy merch at the show.
As a fan of music who doesn’t play music I had no idea about merch fees but your breakdown makes a lot of sense. Everyone wants money what can ya do but fight for yours
This is a topic that drives me insane. This is another reason prices keep skyrocketing. Bands need to follow his lead. In fact, tell fans to go online to buy merch with a ticket holder discount code. That way, the bands and fans win. The concert venue monopoly has to be stopped.
I really appreciate you making content for us average music fans. I watch you because you dont try to shove bull**** down our throats and you speak facts. Good video, valid opinions.
I tend to think it would take a better ambassador than Ronnie to really make any difference. He has such the reputation of complaining about everything that when he has a valid point, some people (not all) tend to think he's just going on another tyraid. I also know a lot of bands (again, not all) might be hesitant to jump on the argument for being grouped up with Ronnie. Whether you like him or not, he's a polarizing dude. That type of person carries the risks. I personally don't even listen to FIR anymore simply cause of his attitude. But thats just me. Everyone is entitled to their opinions.
@ericdahlman3354 100%. I do think Ronnie is right on most of the issues he talks about. His temperament is definitely an issue that keeps more people from wanting to support him. I understand the whole “keep it real” argument, but nobody will want to associate with you if you are so unlikeable the entire time.
@@SunnyHF-nf4bc Name two or more issues he is right about. Amuse me. For the past ~2 years he has uttered the most idiotic bullshit about Covid for example. He also started spreading typical far right talking points that are further from the truth than Earth from Mars.
Nah, you're not alone. I tried to keep up with him, the last thing FIR put out that I really enjoyed was The Drug In Me Is Reimagined, followed closely by being completely let down and turned off of their music by I'm Not A Vampire Reimagined. Now days everthing I hear on the radio from him is whining about how successful he is and how hard it is to be so rich and famous. Just a clown show now, thankfully Escape The Fate has some decent tracks every once in a while lol.
I went to a concert in Glasgow where a band called Trash Boat did a very similar thing. They mentioned that the fees were astronomical and the venue required they use venue staff rather than their own merch staff. They decided that they were going to do an impromptu meet and greet at a bar after the gig. This was an O2 owned venue. I like buying merch at gigs because the shipping costs of international bands is often very very high. Often it’ll work out cheaper to buy it at a gig (and there’ll be exclusive tour merch). I do see knock-off merch being sold outside gigs for cheaper so I don’t think it’d be much of an issue for bands to set up their own merch van or simply refuse to sell merch at all at venues. I agree with this guy. I think a small fee is reasonable for the use of the the card machines, possibly staff, and space but it should be very low as the band is the reason the venue is generating money in the first place. Fees for tickets and venues in general are ridiculously high, for both the consumer and the bands.
That is correct, however, the majority of their shows are Live Nation and Live Nation even has them listen on their web-site as one of their exclusive venues. Also, even though this was a radio show, Live Nation were the ones handling it.
@@TankTheTech I’m surprised that Live Nation acts like they are exclusive there. I’d guess they book about 50-60% of the events there. They are a Ticketmaster exclusive venue, though. Now, with a promoter, does LN or the venue set the merch fees? This all seems to be coming down on Armory.
I was at that concert and my buddy and I were wondering why he didn't have any merch and he was really the only band we wanted merch for but he was 100% right
You seem like an open minded guy that can objectively look at life and provide information that your viewers can generate their own opinions about. Keep up the good work!
They use to sell merch out front of shows in the lot out of trucks and vans sometimes the best way forward is to look back until you can figure out a better way
I used to be HUGE FiR fan but lately Ronnie has been way too drama focused. Like I am totally fine with being abit shocking and speaking your mind obviously but he does it ALL THE TIME
He just does it to get attention and headlines. But the sad thing is it’s working. I find FIR fans so annoying “he’s just amazing he’s got huge balls to say what he says nobody else has brought this up before bravo” like no the only reason he’s bringing it up is because he’s a narcissistic crybaby that just wants attention
After he turned I'm not a Vampire from a song about him going up into some crap about him trying to take everyone else down I was out. Drug In Me Is Reimagined was honestly beautiful though.
@Odd1006 classic behaviour of someone calling everyone a snowflake that doesn't agree with him. Was it tank who complained about ronnies repeated crying in lyrics about people being snowflakes (lol the ironie) in a reaction?
I don't always agree with things Ronnie says, but I agree with him on this. I think Bands should only need to pay for use of a venue space. Why should they pay additional fees? Bands are the ones who paid to make the merchandise not the venues. Unless the venue's are doing something extra to warrant a share they shouldn't get anything.
Ronnie is an amazing person , he speaks his mind , he's a classic rockstar for the modern era , I been following his career since the beginning , the mans just brutally honest
I agree with him. The venue already get their money from tickets, beer sale etc. Merch is literally the small amount the band can get to actually earn to tour and perform.
He blocked you? Absurd. He's missing out. I like Ronnie, love his music, but sometimes he is his own worst enemy. In this situation though, I think he did the right thing. We need bigger bands like his standing against this stuff so that smaller bands stand a chance.
I don't get how anyone can genuinely like this bloke. Dude wears his bigotry on his sleeve and spends more time arguing with randoms on social media than being a descent person.
@@Cessate Honestly there are several artist i dont like as a person but i like their music. You can like someones music and not them as a person because of behaviors, bigotry, fat shaming or political views
Thank you for using our concert footage! More musicians need to stand up to venues like Ronnie did! 😎🤘 Original video and FULL CONCERT footage found at... youtube.com/@tyedyedtravelingguy?si=rxLYB4w7sSY1C2Pr
My first experience with Ronnie was during a show in Portland years ago. It was the drummer's birthday (I think that was Ryan Seaman back then), and I was there with Truth drums to say hi and happy birthday. Someone provided a cake so everyone could sing happy birthday and Ronnie decided instead it would be funny to smash the cake on the drum kit. It was so disrespectful, and the drummer was pissed. We were kinda pissed too, those drums were a lot of work and they got so nasty. Ronnie is not a person I would ever want to work with.
Does it also apply in Europe? Cuz so far, all the bands I personally know don't pay any fees for merchandise to the venue, but I have to say they usually do bring their own people who stay at the merch booth.
They do?? I’ve been told by many bands they’ve not had to do this. I know LiveNation said it wouldn’t be an issue here because they don’t charge this in Australia as it is. Do you know any venues that actually do it? That’s pretty concerning
Limp Bizkit didbt have merch at their festival or sodeshow appearances in australia with the 'good things' festival. does anyone know if they were doing this as well?
I know this is a random place to post this but I would think this community is a good place to post it. I would like for people to check out The Crown. It is a great metal band from Sweden that gets far too little attention and should be a lot bigger than they are... at least according to me. They've been around for a good while and is one of the best bands around, in my opinion at least. I would be great if those guys could get some support from an awesome community like this.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I love that Behemoth sold their Merch out of the back of a van at some shows in Germany to not pay the venue
Thats fucking awesome. Love Nergal.
This is the way forward. I’ve mentioned this several times, and I don’t know why bands don’t do this.
@@stevenfairclough5745 this is the OLD way. everything gets a return
@@stevenfairclough5745 Because of the safety involved, a lot of the times. I'll tell you right now if I got offered a merch gig for a band but they said I had to do it outside of the venue with no security, I'm not doing it. That's inviting a shit ton of liability issues.
@@TankTheTech
Liability issues? Only in 'murica :)
As a concert goer who used to like to get shirts at shows because they differed from the shirts on the website or at stores, I would recommend that bands give ticket holders a special code to get the special shirts at the bands' websites for the same show as the ticket. Maybe the code could also give a discounted price for the merch as well. This way the bands get the money and the fans get a special shirt.
I no longer go out of my way to get shirts due to the prices of said shirts. Couple that with the price for the tickets, travel and parking, I am spend a ton of cash for a night out.
That is sadly how it is for me now. I used to always grab merch at shows, but the prices have become pretty insane. Not blaming the bands obviously, but I can't justify spending $90 on a hoodie with the bands' name in font size 10 Times New Roman.
@@AusTraLiaNPsyChO WELCOME to the arse end of the world!
I was the same way. I had a shit ton of shirts from the concerts I attended. They were usually around $20 for bigger bands/venues, less for club size places. I remember seeing tee shirts for $40 and decided the time for that was over (for me).
Clubs are shady always out for themselves
Very good point bro. 🤘🏻I agree 100%
But venues don't wanna give up a percentage of their food, beverage, and alcohol sales to a band. But will demand to take a merch percent in their contracts.
This comment needs so many more upvotes and visibility. This is the two-faced nature of the industry. Too much is never enough with these goddamned vultures.
This comment should be pinned.
What makes it worse is there are people out there that will argue “well the bands aren’t paying to stock the bar” but the irony is the venues aren’t paying to stock the merch. I played in a band for years and did some touring. About 10% of our merch sales were profit. CDs were the most profitable thing to sell and those stop selling years ago. Every shirt you don’t sell because all those people who asked for small or xxxl shirts didn’t buy them cost money also.
Well there not selling alcohol when bands are not there. I see the seesaw argument of it all. There letting bands sell merchandise in their venue. OK well we are bringing fans in to your venue to buy food and alcohol. Either both give up a percent or just wash it you take yours and we'll take ours.
I mean, most smaller venues are barely staying afloat these days. I know in my area we went from having 5 venues in my city to having 1 in the past ~20 years. The sad truth is that live music is kind of dying out in favor of streaming/youtube, and so these small venues have to do what they can to keep hosting shows.
I vend my own work at comic book conventions and this dude is 100% on point. Venues and promoters are leeches who very rarely have fair dealings.
25% merch fee? That's insane. I always buy merch at the shows I go to. It's a memento for the show. Every time I see one of shirts or hoodies, I remember that show and who I was with. I'd hate to lose out on that because of stuff like this.
Last "big" gig I went to, I really wanted to have a memento for personal reasons. Unfortunately a patch was ten quid over the ticket price, the t shirts were well over a hundred and the hoodies were almost two hundred.
Checked online and the band got nothing from it, the discography and the venue got it all. Asian music business is nuts, top that with big cities westerner venues, post covid prices, cost of living crisis and we have a nice and expensive cocktail.
It's actually also the only place to buy cool tour shirts. I've never seen tour shirts online on the band's websites or anywhere else, so I always try to get my hands on the tour shirts directly at the venue...
I like how music has become what shirt you are wearing instead of it being about the music. You all can blame yourselves for them going after the only thing you guys care about...
@@skatinsince97 I think you need to read my comment again because you clearly don't understand it.
I go to shiws because I love the music, I but a shirt because I want to support the music and get a momento. Plus talking with people in the merch line is fun.
You need to check your attitude.
@@skatinsince97
Dumbest comment of the year so far?
It's a rare day I find myself a Ronnie Radke supporter, but here we are. He's 100% right here.
You aren’t.
He isn’t.
You are just a puppet with no original take.
@@williamwinstrop3918and what has he actually done that is unforgivable. He's not a boogyman youre just a crybaby
@@williamwinstrop3918 cry more lol
@@williamwinstrop3918 When making accusations of unoriginal takes, I expect a little better than a response in the style of Chat GPT... Then again, I suppose Ronnie's fans are kinda known for low standards!
Ronnie may be talented but he's pretty smooth brained, a broken clock is right twice a day though
Ronnie can be difficult, to say the least, but he's really on point here. You can't say he's wrong about this stuff. These days, merch prices at shows are insane. Completely insane. That being said... What a little diva he is for blocking you lol.
A shirt can cost as much as a single ticket. $40-45 it's crazy
@@colonelhstinkmeaner8547 45 is pretty "normal" around here now. Even seen shirts for 60. As much as I might love a band..thats a no from me.
I 100% agree with that summary. Merch prices are fucked also in europe. in the last 10 years price hikes of 2x \ 200%. I unterstand the post-covid struggles even for venues, but no one here earns 2x of staff, artists, fans. Even Inflation did not add up to 200%. This is just exploiting.
The bands even need to organize the selling \ staff at the merch stands. It's just a fee for the setup, essentially a glorified flea market sellers fee for the stands.
FR tho. A hoodie on the Fall Out Boy tour in Europe was 80€
EIGHTY FUCKING EURO
@@actually_peanuts Agreed.
My biggest issue with merch fees is that most people buying merch have no idea that x% of what you pay goes to the venue or promoter. Tank, you have educated me on the way it is; but not everyone has the benefit of your wisdom, and before I found your channel, I thought that all the cash I stumped up went to the band, minus taxes. The venues where I worked over the years basically said, here's a space; you can set up there, and that was the end of dealing with merch sales.
or, in many places you pay a flat fee for any space you require to set a stall up and that is the end of it. Many conventions and trade-shows are run this way.
Did the venue provide you with equipment and pos? If so why would you expect such things to be free? The fee makes sense it's just gotten exorbitant, mostly due to live nation existing. They are so large whatever they do becomes the standard.
I was doing front of house for a band in Paris at the beginning of the year, the venue also wanted to charge a 25% fee ON TOP of a 20% VAT tax they would withhold. We too opted to not sell merch after realizing almost HALF of our merch income was going to be taken from us. Shit is absolutely wild. Also worth mentioning that we were touring with a merch person but the venue hired an outside company to sell and wouldn't allow us to do it ourselves.
Just another reason to make fun of France. That shit is wild.
@@Raptor_Jesus. - "...make fun of France." I have a friend who did a transport a while back. It was supposed to be an easy job, straight forward to the destination, but without going in to details it had to be re-routed via France.
Again, not going in to details, afterwards my friend said "Never ever France again!".
/ B.
@@mbo191 That goes for "Air France" as well...
@@mbo191 great story, the detail really made it worth reading!
@@mbo191 After what has happened at international sporting events in france as of recent, I wouldn't go to france if i was paid.
ive seen a lot more bands selling their merch online on their own sites before the concert bc they can sell at a discount compared to higher prices at the venues. Like buying a shirt and having it shipped is like 30 compared 45 at the concert
During the last Iron Maiden US tour, the cost of the shipping was the exact same amount as the cost of the venue upcharge and I thoroughly enjoyed just buying my merch from the floor of the venue inbetween acts instead of waiting in a merch line for 30 minutes
@@MuzakMakerwow that's wild. But also something I totally expect in these times. 🥲
I perfer to get it online and then when I see them maybe get a tour tshirt only if it's going to the band
Subbed when you were doing reactions but in all honesty, getting your takes on these stories is really refreshing and keeps me coming back more. The knowledge you have from being on the inside of the touring industry for so long is a breath of fresh air. Keep on keeping on man.
Hey Tank! Thank you for covering this topic!! I am personally a venue Merch seller so I am used to getting paid out by bands but not a percentage like that. Just a flat fee for services rendered. This video was popping up in my feed and I had no idea what it was about so I really appreciate you adding all the context to this video and scenario. I really enjoy your video content and thorough coverage of topics as someone who also works in music venues and with the artists as well. 👍👍👍
How did u get a job as a venue merch seller? Something I'm trying to get into.
The fact he cared more about the fans than his own wallet says a lot more celebs need to follow this mentality. Good for him
The majority of his media controversies are him being shitty directed at fans so its a nice change of pace
He was garbage at rock fest in cadot WI. He played only what he was contracted to and stopped mid set. He also said cadot sucks and complained about us on his social media. He also said he would maybe come back if everyone bought enough merch. Guy SUCKS.
He’s still pretty shyt
Punctuation:
The difference between helping your uncle Jack, off a horse .....and
Helping your uncle Jack off a horse.
Lol
Bands need get 25% of the vending if the place gets 25% of the merch.
I’m so bummed to hear that your reactions were interpreted as clickbait. I really enjoyed your reactions and your take on their music and videos. I think it means so much more when it comes from someone in the industry. I appreciate your videos; they are very informative, and I love that you take as objective an approach as possible on all of these topics. 👏👏👏
Didn’t he even do a reaction to one of your reactions?
@@KatherineK9beef castle was taken and ran with not to mention that he complimented tanks indepth knowledge of all the work put into the production as well as references.
In every aspect of life we are getting ripped off more and more every day. There has to be a crashing point where it all goes off the rails 😔😔
Yea its called recession. At catastrophic levels it means collapse of economy.
Australia is also on the fast track to becoming a 3rd world country within the next 50-100 years if we cant get our money grubbing cunts out of power ASAP. They will suck us dry and fuck off to a tax haven while we are left with a Mad Max country.
Welcome to late stage capitalism.
The funny thing is that half of these things genuinely weren't terrible 20 or so years ago. I'd like to say around 2013 is when things turned for the worst. So yeah, adding the "late stage" part is accurate. @@phanaticz
@phanaticz so tom morello overcharging ratm fans is considered capitalism?
Me thinks you don't know dick all about economic systems...🤔
Ronnie is totally right here and it's great that they have the opportunity to put their foot down. Good for them
The Comedian Bill Bailey sold his merchandise himself at his tourbus and giving everyone a signed pamphlet.
He was there for 2 hours.
Bill Bailey is someone you can look up to, in general. Love the man.
More people talking about where the money is going is an awesome thing for every industry. This is great.
When I buy merch I just do it on the band's website. The whole point of buying merch is to support the band, this way I can be sure that the money is going to them
Maaaaan what video did you do that pissed him off? 😂😂
This is one of the channels that helped me get deeper into metal, so big thanks for everything you do and cover 💪🏽
Ikr? Tank is always super courteous and humble. He'd never just use a band's name for views.
If we're being perfectly honest, it doesn't take much to set Ronnie off. Unless I'm losing my mind, I remember Tank sticking up for him a few times, so I can't imagine it was anything reasonable.
It was no video, TTT kind of bullied him on Twitter, said the worst thing in the worst moment.
@@gatling216 you're wrong, at least it depends on what do you mean by "much". I think making gross pokes which aren't funny when the other one is pissed and vulnerable is a shitty thing.
Tank was making typical internet jokes towards someone who lives on the internet.
Ronnie blocked him and turned it into a soap opera while victimizing himself because he can't stand being criticized, even as a joke.
@@someinamillion1020
Good episode. I had always thought that bands had made their money from record sales, and concerts. I didn't learn about merch sales until I started watching your channel. Now I'm really angry at venues for gouging bands for merch profits. There's a business end that not all fans/viewers don't know about. If I've learned anything from watching your channel it's that merch keeps the wheels greesed for bands to continue to be at a venue near you. Thanks Tank! Love your channel!
my favorite way to get merch is actually when pre-ordering the vinyl online there is usually a good package deal. For instance, when I pre-ordered Sleep Token's "This Place Will Become Your Tomb" I also got a long sleeved t-shirt all for about $60. It's not a massive discount, but it's something.
Good on him for calling the venue out in front of the crowd. Most people have no idea how badly artists are getting screwed from every angle.
Do you know any venue managers that could talk about the finances of the venue itself? It would be fantastic to get an idea of how much the venue has to spend on employees, insurance, utilities, etc. vs how much is going directly into the pockets of Live Nation or an independent owner.
This explains why merch at stadium shows are SO OUTRAGEOUS
musicians that play at stadiums also just want to make a ton of money which is why they are playing at stadiums where the sound quality sucks and fans in seats far from the stage can barely see.
This happened from another band I saw. They asked you buy off their website instead. So we supported them that way. ❤
The trick:
Throw an afterparty.... invite everyone and sell you merch there
Cut the GREEDY venue out of the profits ENTIRELY
yeah but where, when and how? ;P
Easy, local park open parking lot, parking structure, friendly open business nearby, near a taco truck. We got options
You might be on to something here!
Here here Ronnie!!! you did the right thing, will support you ant day of the week!
Instead of venues taking a cut of merch sales, I don't understand why they don't institute a flat rate "sales space" rental fee. I think that would make a lot more sense all around and be a lot easier to justify.
In most venues, merch tables are set up in otherwise vacant floor space, or in a space that could be used to sell food & drink. That floor space would therefore be open as a different revenue stream for the venue if not in use for the artist selling merch. So it makes sense that a venue would want to recoup the loss of that revenue stream that would otherwise go to them. But taking a cut of merch sales, which the venue (usually) has absolutely nothing to do with is silly. The venue is space, so they should charge based on space.
Here's the thing, that should flat out already be part of renting the venue as a whole, not some extra bullshit just to bleed money from working musicians and promoters
@@yuugur666 Bands should just not use Live Nation venues!
Oh wait, LN bought up most of their competition and unless you wanna tour only in dive bars you have to go through LN. Totally not a monopoly though!
Been following you for awhile and I love your content. Your knowledge of the business side of the music industry is very valuable and we appreciate you sharing your perspective on certain things. This video was definitely a topic that need to be discussed. On another note I really don’t understand why any band would not want their music reacted to by UA-camrs. You would think they’d be all for that as that would help the artist fan base continue to grow.
It’s really interesting to discover that Armory is a chain, I thought we just had the one in STL
I love having this information, thanks, I will always find a way to buy official merch online
Best idea I’ve seen lately and I have personally experienced is doing Pop Up Stores next to the venue, WARGASM (UK) did a pop up at a bar/pub next to the venue itself on Friday and the venue only needed the rental of an area which costed peanuts because the whole point was to bring fans in for a pint and social space before the show. It just works
I saw a band over the summer who was doing a small-venue tour. Because they were just driving a van with a trailer for their gear, they couldn't pack a lot of shirts. What they did was print up a QR code you could scan that would take you to their website where you could buy the exact same shirts. (The website also had a note mentioning that the band was on tour and orders would be filled after the tour ended.) That's all bands have to do. Print up cards with a URL or QR code that takes you to the band's web shop and offer the same merch.
This is also good for people who don't want to stand in line at concerts.
You mentioned it briefly, but it needs emphasis - If venues stopped taking merch fees, they WILL take the money elsewhere. They're not just going to willingly take less money. Expect prices for everything to go up. That doesn't mean it's a bad thing. It's like our tipping culture subsidizes the wages of service workers, merch fees arguably subsidize your ticket or your beer.
Yes and no, lots of shady pricing practices with venues and part is due to the venues while part is due to ticketmaster and other BS. At the end of the day though, a venue can only charge so much and metalheads are creative and love thier merch. The club can't charge stadium fees and if bands saw what tickets were going for and saw the venue massovely overcharging then I could easily see a band rebelling in some way.
My $14 beer?
@@igtut1 Yeah, I was fully with em for the start of that, but that last bit..
Homie they subsidies their greed with the beer and snacks, they take a HUGE profit off of it, yeah, they'll bend you over a different barrel, but don't you dare pretend they aren't already elbow deep.
Tipping is optional though (something that shouldn't exist to begin with but people keep allowing it to), this wouldn't be.
@@Man0War_Loki Tipping is not an option in many countries because they think you're looking down on staff and saying they don't make enough.
Tipping is a *NECESSITY* in America because we look down on staff and don't let them make enough.
I 10000000000% agree Ronnie on this one.
What we got to do is find out where the property line for a venue ends and sell merch outside of the grasp of their greedy hands.
The sidewalk
A lot of the smaller venues (1,000 - 4,000 capacity) I've been to in the UK charge 15% for the venue staff to sell merch, 10% if the artists / crew sell the merch. Venues say that the charge is there because they are supplying additional space for the merch stands and that never quite sat right with me.
I've been on both sides of the argument as I've been a touring audio tech and a venue tech, I'm not sure what the answer is but it can't continue being handled the way that it is right now.
I was at that show. I was shocked to see no merch from falling. Even more so to hear that.
Ronnie is interesting character and generally, he rubs me wrong, but even broken clocks are right twice a day. As always, Tank, you find the devil in the details, but that's exactly where artists get nickel-and-dimed to death. Everyone has their hands in the pocket of the bands or artists. It's just enough already.
Great info Tank!!! Find it sad that Ronnie thinks you are doing things for “click bait.” I feel you always wear your emotions on your sleeve and react whole heartedly. Side note, didn’t he react to your reactions a few times lol. Isn’t that “click bait” 😉. Keep up the good work!!!
In Flames, Gojira and another Swedish band did this as well back in 2008/2009 in Stockholm, Sweden.
Anders Fridén went off against the venue and Live Nation from the stage just as Ronnie did.
I totally support artists giving the big 🖕 against bloodsucking leeches who want to steal money from artists if they have their own merch crew.
However, if the venue or an affiliated merch company takes full responsibility together with the merch manager, then a 15% fee should be enough to pay the local merch staff, rent the designated area, and make some money for the company.
the problem with venues taking a fee to sell merch for you is they often force you to have them sell your merch
Look at the price of water at a venue to get an idea of how shady they really are. I paid $6 for a bottle of water at a show last summer. A venue that pulls bs like that is likely to pull bs like high merch fees.
How much was in the bottle? If its 1l its an okay price. But I guess not. Thats something I would critizie as well. If I remember it correct I once had to pay 4€ for 300ml.
@@JP_Hatecrew most likely 0.5l
Most water they sell t at shows in my area are 0.5L and they're about $5 or $6 depending on the venue.
@@chazhartwayne6493 and the bottle probably cost 1$ max ^^
Damn, every show I've been to has had free water. Ofc tap water from plastic cups, but still. (Tap is really good here)
This comment is slightly off topic buuuuut, I love how your content has evolved. When you mentioned doing reactions it made me think that I don't think I actually watch any of those channels anymore. I still watch all your videos because they're relevant, informative and interesting. The only other person who I may watch a video here and there is Kardavox but it's very rare I watch anything from him at the moment. But yeah, kinda off topic but I enjoy how your content has evolved with the changing times and also as your audience has matured.
The number of people making themselves wealthy by skimming off bands like this is revolting. I dont understand how people think its ok thst a record company can end up owning 95% of the profits of a bands work, for example. Thanks for talking about this, Tank. Things have to change.
First video I've seen of you Tank. Great response and you talked respectfully when you were mentioning being blocked by RR on social.
On the last statement: it is absolutely true that venues would not exist without artists and their fans.
Venues were created with that exact purpose. Artists could set up a gig in a field if they so chose. Venues have the privilege of hosting acts and I would argue artists don’t owe them a damn thing.
Tank should really do a masterclass or video on how the live show experience and logistics works from top to bottom
Create unique QR codes for each venue and have the codes point to a limited sale on you site that's 10% off select items...you're taking a small hit up front but you're rewarding the fans for using you're preferred avenue of sale. Surly they can't ding you for promoting your own store front. Have members of the band wear select merch to further the drive and let the fans know that it's new and limited. All of this has the added benefit of reducing storage needed on the road as well as reduction of fuel expenses. Still sell where the juice is worth the squeeze but use the QR system as a bugout strategy for those more exploitative venues.
I was talking to a drummer in one touring band that said he LOVED coming to Canada as the small clubs they went to never charged merch fees.
Mind you this was a few years back.
I work for a Live Nation venue, and I can say with 99% certainty it’s because of the size of the venue. FIR is an arena/amphitheater level band. The merch break is for club level venues, as you mentioned in your edit. I’m willing to bet every venue they played on that tour took a merch cut, but, I doubt they were all that steep.
I recall seeing James Taylor long ago... probably 30 years ago. He is hilarious live. This night, he was roasting his own concessions. He joked if anyone wanted to buy a copy of his CD at three times the market value, they were available at the very expensive tshirt booth.
Costs us 80-100 for a hoodie in Ireland/Europe and 40-50 for a t-shirt. It’s so insane.
i've never seen anything over 53 US$ in Australia, even at festivals. That includes hoodies. That's mental.
15€ for a shirt and 50€ for a hoodie are normal prices at the shows I go to in Germany.
@@blarfroer8066 Well, for small bands in small venues yes, maybe still. Festivalshirts were up to 30€ this year at the two events I attended. I went to a Nightwish concert in Hamburg (Barclaycard Arena) back in 2018, they charged 45€ for a shirt(!) and even much more for a hoodie, can't remember how much, probably 70-80€. And that's almost 2 years before C19 happened...
I 100% support him on this. If someone told me I had to give them a cut of my merch it would get nasty real quick. We are the show, we are the reason people are here and purchased tickets, you are not getting a cut of merch we purchased with our own money that has no connection to the venue. This is disgusting and would shit on the venue for this as well.
Maybe it's different in the US, but I've been reluctant (in Canada) to buy merch online lately cause the shipping cost is so high. $40 for a tee and the $35 for shipping. I can't justify $75 for a tee 😔
I recognize that, being a fan of Japanese bands is even worse in that sense. It's the same fees + customs and sometimes the delivery company/postal service take an extra cut on top of that (at least here in Belgium). I have imported a lot of stuff from Japan over the last couple of years, mainly cd's and blu-rays but also some merch and it gets very expensive really quickly.
You guys think that's bad I live in New Zealand and you can basically double any product price and that's your shipping from the states and that's before customs tax.
I got a game from Limited Run that was $50 USD, $80NZD.
When shipping and customs tax was added , it cost me just over $200 NZD, $123 USD.
It is by far the most expensive video game I ever bought.
ok i usually hate ronnie, but yeah he's 100% right for this
Heartbreaking: The Worst Person You Know Just Made A Great Point
#BradArmy
@@GonzoCiosainI was about to comment the exact same thing LMAO
honestly, everything he does feels deeply performative. He's jumped into the conversation like... 1yr - 6months too late
he's honestly just rehashing and screaming sht other bands have been screaming about for years and basically told to be grateful or shut up by the community
In reference to your comments in the beginning: I learned of Falling in Reverse from your channels. They were one of my top 5 bands this year on my Spotify. So...maybe you did it for clicks? Doesn't matter, you made me a huge fan.
So there's that.
The funny part about it is, that Ronnie watches a lot of reaction channels when he releases music, so in my opinion, it looks like he only has a problem with Tank because tank disagrees with his opinions and shit like that, so Ronnie has a problem with him 🤷♂️ he’s a child so it’s not shocking
@@andyjaniszewski2130I think it was with Zombified or Voices in My Head Ronnie not only on Twitter but also in interviews said he supports the reactors and find them an exellent new way of spreading music
@@LeperMessiah2 Yeah, this wasn't a "reactors" thing he had issues with. This was specifically a "me" thing. Haha
The "broken clock being right twice a day" analogy works here. It's not like band merch appears out of the ether for free. The bands spend a lot of money producing their wares. To then be told that their net is going to be that much lighter on top of it, has to be infuriating. I have generally operated on the principle that buying merch at the show was the best way to directly support the bands I like. If I knew going in the door that Live Nation was pocketing a quarter of that money, I probably wouldn't buy merch at the show.
Thanks for giving us insight on how the industry works.. and exposing the bulllshit these bands deal with
As a fan of music who doesn’t play music I had no idea about merch fees but your breakdown makes a lot of sense. Everyone wants money what can ya do but fight for yours
This is a topic that drives me insane. This is another reason prices keep skyrocketing. Bands need to follow his lead. In fact, tell fans to go online to buy merch with a ticket holder discount code. That way, the bands and fans win. The concert venue monopoly has to be stopped.
I enjoy how respectful you are in your takes and points. You do actual journalism and aren’t solicitous. Deeply appreciated and needed to subscribe
This is likely the model Live Nation is using now to make up the revenue "loss" from not taking merch cuts from shows they promote.
5:21 always appreciate your desire to try and remain neutral/unbiased while also giving your opinion, you don't often see that anymore.
Ronnie is a real one. Hope he stays ok. ❤❤
I really appreciate you making content for us average music fans. I watch you because you dont try to shove bull**** down our throats and you speak facts. Good video, valid opinions.
I tend to think it would take a better ambassador than Ronnie to really make any difference. He has such the reputation of complaining about everything that when he has a valid point, some people (not all) tend to think he's just going on another tyraid. I also know a lot of bands (again, not all) might be hesitant to jump on the argument for being grouped up with Ronnie. Whether you like him or not, he's a polarizing dude. That type of person carries the risks. I personally don't even listen to FIR anymore simply cause of his attitude. But thats just me. Everyone is entitled to their opinions.
@ericdahlman3354 100%. I do think Ronnie is right on most of the issues he talks about. His temperament is definitely an issue that keeps more people from wanting to support him.
I understand the whole “keep it real” argument, but nobody will want to associate with you if you are so unlikeable the entire time.
@@SunnyHF-nf4bc Name two or more issues he is right about. Amuse me.
For the past ~2 years he has uttered the most idiotic bullshit about Covid for example. He also started spreading typical far right talking points that are further from the truth than Earth from Mars.
Nah, you're not alone. I tried to keep up with him, the last thing FIR put out that I really enjoyed was The Drug In Me Is Reimagined, followed closely by being completely let down and turned off of their music by I'm Not A Vampire Reimagined. Now days everthing I hear on the radio from him is whining about how successful he is and how hard it is to be so rich and famous. Just a clown show now, thankfully Escape The Fate has some decent tracks every once in a while lol.
I went to a concert in Glasgow where a band called Trash Boat did a very similar thing. They mentioned that the fees were astronomical and the venue required they use venue staff rather than their own merch staff. They decided that they were going to do an impromptu meet and greet at a bar after the gig. This was an O2 owned venue.
I like buying merch at gigs because the shipping costs of international bands is often very very high. Often it’ll work out cheaper to buy it at a gig (and there’ll be exclusive tour merch). I do see knock-off merch being sold outside gigs for cheaper so I don’t think it’d be much of an issue for bands to set up their own merch van or simply refuse to sell merch at all at venues.
I agree with this guy. I think a small fee is reasonable for the use of the the card machines, possibly staff, and space but it should be very low as the band is the reason the venue is generating money in the first place. Fees for tickets and venues in general are ridiculously high, for both the consumer and the bands.
Armory is independently owned. They use multiple promoters for their events, including Live Nation, Jam, First Avenue, and SIM.
That is correct, however, the majority of their shows are Live Nation and Live Nation even has them listen on their web-site as one of their exclusive venues. Also, even though this was a radio show, Live Nation were the ones handling it.
@@TankTheTech I’m surprised that Live Nation acts like they are exclusive there. I’d guess they book about 50-60% of the events there. They are a Ticketmaster exclusive venue, though.
Now, with a promoter, does LN or the venue set the merch fees? This all seems to be coming down on Armory.
I just buy from the bands online stores. Support them directly. Then wear it to the shows when i see them.
I was at that concert and my buddy and I were wondering why he didn't have any merch and he was really the only band we wanted merch for but he was 100% right
Not just merch fees but the ticket fees too. Especially with ticket master
You seem like an open minded guy that can objectively look at life and provide information that your viewers can generate their own opinions about.
Keep up the good work!
They use to sell merch out front of shows in the lot out of trucks and vans sometimes the best way forward is to look back until you can figure out a better way
I used to be HUGE FiR fan but lately Ronnie has been way too drama focused. Like I am totally fine with being abit shocking and speaking your mind obviously but he does it ALL THE TIME
He just does it to get attention and headlines. But the sad thing is it’s working. I find FIR fans so annoying “he’s just amazing he’s got huge balls to say what he says nobody else has brought this up before bravo” like no the only reason he’s bringing it up is because he’s a narcissistic crybaby that just wants attention
After he turned I'm not a Vampire from a song about him going up into some crap about him trying to take everyone else down I was out. Drug In Me Is Reimagined was honestly beautiful though.
A venue cut on gross merch sales of the band is crazy.
Didn't ronnie like your reactions initially? I mean he reacted to most reactors on twitch no? What happened that made him block you?
Tank probably mentioned one word that could have possibly been a negative thing about one of Ronnie's songs so he blocked him. That guy is so petty
@Odd1006 classic behaviour of someone calling everyone a snowflake that doesn't agree with him. Was it tank who complained about ronnies repeated crying in lyrics about people being snowflakes (lol the ironie) in a reaction?
@@MK-wx5vu lol yea I don't even know but knowing Ronnie, probably a long those lines 🤣
I don't always agree with things Ronnie says, but I agree with him on this.
I think Bands should only need to pay for use of a venue space. Why should they pay additional fees?
Bands are the ones who paid to make the merchandise not the venues. Unless the venue's are doing something extra to warrant a share they shouldn't get anything.
Ronnie is an amazing person , he speaks his mind , he's a classic rockstar for the modern era ,
I been following his career since the beginning , the mans just brutally honest
He’s not a classic rockstar lol half of his music is rap
Lmfao roll around in AIDS
I agree with him. The venue already get their money from tickets, beer sale etc. Merch is literally the small amount the band can get to actually earn to tour and perform.
I normally don't agree with some of Ronnie's opinions. But this? I totally and completely agree with him.
Dude I saw Coheed at The Armory back in 2018 I think? Awesome venue for sure!
He blocked you? Absurd. He's missing out. I like Ronnie, love his music, but sometimes he is his own worst enemy. In this situation though, I think he did the right thing. We need bigger bands like his standing against this stuff so that smaller bands stand a chance.
I like his music too, but the dude was, is, and probably always will be a shit person 😂
I don't get how anyone can genuinely like this bloke. Dude wears his bigotry on his sleeve and spends more time arguing with randoms on social media than being a descent person.
@@Cessate Honestly there are several artist i dont like as a person but i like their music. You can like someones music and not them as a person because of behaviors, bigotry, fat shaming or political views
Was that the armory in Kingston pa?
Thank you for using our concert footage! More musicians need to stand up to venues like Ronnie did! 😎🤘
Original video and FULL CONCERT footage found at...
youtube.com/@tyedyedtravelingguy?si=rxLYB4w7sSY1C2Pr
The merch table could have a QR code that links to their website and waves the shipping cost for concert attendees.
Wow, Ronnie Radke with a good take for once. Impressive
Can you show us on the trans doll where he hurt you?
@@mykuntstynx9463 wtf are you on about? 😂 stay off crack kid
He's had multiple good takes.
FYI. The old Morton salt factory in Chicago is now a venue. Pretty good. Saw GTI
My first experience with Ronnie was during a show in Portland years ago. It was the drummer's birthday (I think that was Ryan Seaman back then), and I was there with Truth drums to say hi and happy birthday. Someone provided a cake so everyone could sing happy birthday and Ronnie decided instead it would be funny to smash the cake on the drum kit. It was so disrespectful, and the drummer was pissed. We were kinda pissed too, those drums were a lot of work and they got so nasty. Ronnie is not a person I would ever want to work with.
What about prebuying merch on bands merch site and collecting at gig?
Ronnie’s such a crybaby, but he’s definitely right on this one, it’s ridiculous.
Does it also apply in Europe? Cuz so far, all the bands I personally know don't pay any fees for merchandise to the venue, but I have to say they usually do bring their own people who stay at the merch booth.
I'm so glad venues in Australia don't do this merch cut thing, there'd be riots. We simply wouldn't stand for it.
They do it in Australia,Most large music venues in Australia take 10-20% commission on an artist’s gross merch sales.
They do?? I’ve been told by many bands they’ve not had to do this. I know LiveNation said it wouldn’t be an issue here because they don’t charge this in Australia as it is. Do you know any venues that actually do it? That’s pretty concerning
I was there and it's not the first time a band refused to sell merch there
I feel like being blocked by Ronnie means you’re doing something right
Limp Bizkit didbt have merch at their festival or sodeshow appearances in australia with the 'good things' festival.
does anyone know if they were doing this as well?
When Ronnie Radkey calls you out and everyone agrees with him, you know you're in the wrong
I know this is a random place to post this but I would think this community is a good place to post it.
I would like for people to check out The Crown. It is a great metal band from Sweden that gets far too little attention and should be a lot bigger than they are... at least according to me.
They've been around for a good while and is one of the best bands around, in my opinion at least.
I would be great if those guys could get some support from an awesome community like this.