Russian Circles are the latest artists to protest the unfair merch cuts that venues have been placing on artists. The band will not be selling merch during their March 22 show at L’Olympia in Paris, France.
The band said the following:
“AS YOU ARE PROBABLY AWARE, MERCH SALES ARE VITAL TO KEEPING ARTISTS FINANCIALLY AFLOAT WHILE ON TOUR. VENUES OFTEN TAKE A PERCENTAGE OF MERCH REVENUE FROM ARTISTS, AND THEIR RATES HAVE GOTTEN HIGHER IN RECENT YEARS.
AT TONIGHT’S SHOW IN PARIS, THE VENUE HAS ENLISTED AN OUTSIDE COMPANY TO SELL ARTISTS’ MERCH. THIS COMPANY TAKES A 25% COMMISSION AND WITHHOLDS A 20% VAT TAX.
OUR OPTIONS APPEAR TO BE EITHER RAISING OUR PRICES OR LOSING MONEY, SO WE’VE OPTED TO NOT SELL MERCH TONIGHT. WE APOLOGIZE TO OUR FRIENDS AND FANS IN PARIS WHO WERE HOPING TO GRAB A SHIRT OR LP AT THE SHOW, BUT WE DON’T WANT TO PARTAKE IN THIS ARRANGEMENT WITH THIS COMPANY.
IF YOU WANT OUR MERCH, IT IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE AT EVIL GREED.
THANK YOU.”
Metal Anarchy 
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