What began as a one-off event in March to help struggling musicians during the coronavirus pandemic has since raised over $20 million and been extended throughout the end of this year.
Bandcamp’s first Bandcamp Friday took place on March 20, in which the website waived its usual revenue share from all purchases. Fans had the opportunity to purchase music or merchandise and be certain that every penny would be directly “helping artists cover rents, mortgages, groceries, medications and so much more,” as described by Ethan Diamond, co-founder and CEO of Bandcamp.
Diamond revealed in a statement from Bandcamp that $4.3 million was spent on the first Bandcamp Friday, which is 15 times the usual amount generated on the site on a typical Friday. Since March, fans have purchased $75 million worth of music and merchandise, and over half a billion since Bandcamp was founded in 2008.
Following the death of George Floyd, June’s Bandcamp Friday gave artists the opportunity to donate the money raised to racial equity organizations of their choice. Bandcamp also donated 100 percent of their share of sales on June 19 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in support of Juneteenth.
“It’s a good reminder that Bandcamp Fridays are really an extension of what Bandcamp is about every day,” Diamond said. “Thank you to all the artists and labels who shared their music with us, and the fans who spent their hard-earned coins to support the artists they love.”
The remaining Bandcamp Friday dates for this year include Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4.