The pressing plant in Middlesbrough is set to press 100,000 units a month, with priority given to smaller, independent artists and labels. Press On Vinyl currently have a workforce of ten, which they are looking to triple – this is great news for the area, with Covid having an impact on employment nationwide. The prospect of getting hands on with vinyl is a thrilling prospect for music fans and a start up gaining this much traction is a great sign for the industry in the UK.

Press On Vinyl’s website is showing a countdown to the official launch of the business, due to commence on May 28th. There is a great local scene that will continue to explode with the locality of Press On Vinyl.

Vinyl consumption is on the rise, with the ‘vinyl boom’ showing no signs of stopping: fans of all genres are flocking to their local independent record stores to pick up LPs and singles from their favorite artists. The last twelve months have seen bands like Fontaines DC, Sports Team and Mogwai challenge international megastars such as Bieber and Gaga for the number one spot in the album chart. This is driven by vinyl sales, fans are putting their money where their mouth is and fiercely supporting independent artists as a lack of live gigs has slashed revenue streams throughout lockdown.

Bandcamp is key to this vinyl explosion, offering artists the chance to keep 100% of revenue on the first Friday of each month. This has prompted a number of artists to produce new and exclusive vinyl pressings to improve their income. Statistics  released earlier this year showed that vinyl sales overtook CD sales for the first time in the UK since the 80’s.

It’s a truly exciting time to be a record collector, with two jam packed Record Store Day drops due, as well as exciting start ups like Press On Vinyl popping up, what more could an audiophile ask for?

Ethan Diamond, the CEO of Bandcamp explained the decision to aid musicians due to the global pandemic back in March, saying that the COVID-19 pandemic is in full force, and artists have been hit especially hard as tours and shows are being canceled for the foreseeable future. With such a major revenue stream drying up almost entirely, finding ways to continue supporting artists in the coming months is now an urgent priority for anyone who cares about music and the artists who create it.

Diamond further explained the impact of the First Fridays, stating that the money goes directly into artists’ pockets. For many artists, a single day of boosted sales can mean the difference between being able to pay rent or not. Still, we consider this just a starting point. A starting point it was, in November Bandcamp announced a new livestream service to assist struggling musicians even further.

Fans paid artists $40 million during the nine Bandcamp Fridays we held this year. Big thanks to everyone who participated, here’s what we’re doing in 2021: https://t.co/0KcZi3LKOj

— bandcamp (@Bandcamp) December 15, 2020

In the local music industry, the majority of artist earnings in the UK come from live shows and tours, because of the Covid-19 pandemic musicians have lost the bulk of their revenue. Through Bandcamp’s new livestreaming feature, artists now have a platform to continue ticket sales via remote concerts. Bandcamp’s Fairtrade Music Policy means that 80-85% of virtual ticket sales will go directly to the musicians, however, they will also waive fees on tickets until March 31, 2021 so that all ticket earnings will go only to the artists involved.

Over the last few months livestream service has been a great success for the company and more importantly for its artists. However, Bandcamp First Fridays has been so triumphant that it was announced today that artists received a total of 40 million (USD) in revenue, exclusively on the few Fridays held so far. Bandcamp continues to urge fans to support local artists, saying in a statement that fans can support the artists they love and how artists can give fans new, creative ways to provide support. It may sound simple, but the best way to help artists is with your direct financial support, and we hope you’ll join us on Fridays.

Throughout the Summer and Fall, in the eye of the Covid-19 storm, many music venues throughout the UK have permanently closed, artists have struggled greatly without the support of government assistance and furlough, but Bandcamp has been one of the few shining beacons of help and hope in the industry. There is no question that out of all the streaming services, Bandcamp has had the most meaningful impact on its musicians’ ability to stay afloat during these trying times.

The new update supports ticketed live-streams at a price of the artists choosing, which have a live chat and a virtual merchandise table where artists can sell their products. To be notified, listeners should follow their favourite artists, and they will be notified when they stream. Alternatively, they will automatically become a follower when they make a purchase, or can optionally sign up to the mailing list.

It’s true! Bandcamp Live is a new ticketed live streaming service integrating merch and everything else you love about Bandcamp. Read more here:https://t.co/2gnE4kCZTK

— bandcamp (@Bandcamp) November 17, 2020

This is a great new way for artists to earn money as their live shows are cancelled and government support is failing musicians. Luckily, Bandcamp will only take a 10% fee from ticket sales, though this will not be in place until 31st March 2021 – until this date, artists will receive 100% of their earnings.

In a post on the website written by Ethan Diamond, Bandcamp Live was promised to be easy to set up even for those who have never live-streamed before. He said of the current circumstances, “When the pandemic eliminated a major source of musicians’ income, we immediately began working on ways to help the artists and labels on Bandcamp, without whom we would not exist.”

He continued, “Streaming will never replace the experience of in-person performances, but we believe it’s the next best thing, and will provide artists with a powerful tool to build and connect with their fans both now, and when Covid is behind us and we’re all out enjoying the magic of live music once again.”

Already, a number of acts have been announced including David Allred, Chris Farren, and Brin who will kick things off. Find the full list of performances below, with more to be announced soon.

17/11/2020 – David Allred
20/11 – Chris Farren
21/11 – Brin
04/11 – Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti
04/11 – Madison McFerrin
05/11 – Hanna Mia
10/11 – Butcher Brown
10/11 – (Liv).e
10/11 – Eyedress
12/11 – Frente Cumbiero
12/11 – Aroma
13/11 – Bobby Oroza
17/11 – Demae
18/11 – Dezron Douglas and Brandee Younger
21/11 – Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
13/11 – Moaning
27/11 – Cloud Nothings
TBD – Hatchie
TBD – Pedro the Lion
TBD – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
TBD – Louis Cole
TBD – Genevieve Artadi
TBD – Surprise Chef

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!!! BIG NEWS !!! This Wednesday I will be dropping ‘Smash Hits Vol. 1.5 – All Star Charity Remix Edition’. This brand new 12 TRACK remix album will be available for download via Bandcamp with 100% of all proceeds going to the Beirut relief fund. So basically this is an excuse to donate to an incredible cause and get a whole bunch of amazing tunes in the process – what could be better?! I’ve had an absolute ball putting this thing together – all the musicians involved have pulled through with 100% BANGERS and I could not be more proud of the finished result. Stay tuned tomorrow for the full track list and lineup – it’s actually so fucking good you aren’t bloody READY! Big love, lynks xxxx

A post shared by lynks (@lynksafrikka) on Aug 17, 2020 at 8:48am PDT

 You may not know who Lynks Afrikka is yet. His most streamed song on Spotify, How to be Successful, only has 74,779 plays. But it is clear Afrikka defines success in different terms.

23 year old Eliot Brett, the man behind the flamboyant make-up and costumes, says that creating Lynks Afrikka was all about making something ‘entertaining and interesting‘. This has certainly been achieved. Like Grayson Perry, Brett uses humour and bravado to comment astutely on society and politics. The last track of ‘Smash Hits, Vol.1‘, Pandemic, finishes with the words: ‘Boris Johnson likes big business// and if I catch him walking ’round Brixton// I’ll cut his fingers off right at the signet’. 

Although Lynks Afrikka may not have entirely hit the mainstream yet, he has already attracted the attention of publications like DIY, Loud and Quiet and NME. NME hailed his humorously titled EP ‘Smash Hits, Vol.1‘ as a ‘thumping success’, drawing attention to deadpan lines like the one describing straight clubs as ‘a lot like a pub but with slightly less chairs’. ‘Smash Hits, Vol 1.5 – All Star Charity Remix Addition‘, dropping today, will be a remix of these socially conscious dance tracks.

The release features remixes from exciting London musicians Happyness (who share a love for drag), PVA and Glows, to name a few. These musicians all have connections with Brixton’s The Windmill, a famed institution that has been fostering and showcasing new British talent since the early 2000s.

‘Smash Hits, Vol 1.5 – All Star Charity Remix Addition‘ is well worth purchasing, especially considering all proceeds go to such a worthwhile cause.

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We have contributed two remixes to this fantastic album out tomorrow via @lynksafrikka’s bandcamp – all proceeds go to the Beirut Disaster Relief Effort – you can pre order now via Lynk’s page

In today’s feature on the site’s editorial arm Bandcamp Daily, Co-founder and CEO Ethan Diamond referred to the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery among others as “state-sanctioned violence”, and declared that the company stood “with those rightfully demanding justice, equality, and change”.

This Friday we are donating our share of sales to @NAACP_LDF to support racial justice, equality and change: https://t.co/FVgnE0FuDC pic.twitter.com/PN9w1eL6We

— bandcamp (@Bandcamp) June 15, 2020

“Real progress”, he continued, “requires a sustained and sincere commitment to political, social, and economic racial justice”. As evidence of the sincerity in this statement, Diamond has promised that the NAACP Legal Defense fund will receive his company’s share of sales for every 19th of June hereafter. In addition, Bandcamp have pledged to set aside an annual budget of $30,000 for organisations that “fight for racial justice and create opportunities for people of colour”.

The significance of the 19th of June, often referred to as ‘Juneteenth’, stems from it being the date the day of emancipation for the last enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy in 1865, two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. While the date has been celebrated by America’s black community for over a century, President Trump recently claimed in a delusionary interview with the Wall Street Journal to be responsible for the tradition catching on, despite originally planning to hold his first rally since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic on that date. Unlike the highly contentious Columbus Day, the US does not officially celebrate the 19th of June as a national holiday, however in the wake of the current Black Lives Matter protests more and more corporations are embracing it as a paid holiday.

The Icelandic legend’s nine albums are now uploaded for fans to enjoy on Bandcamp. They can also buy physical copies, including vinyl, CD, and cassette.

The discography features Björk’s numerous iconic records like 1993’s ‘Debut‘, 1995’s ‘Post‘ and 2001’s ‘Vespertine‘. Her latest LP ‘Utopia‘ released back in 2017 is also available on the platform.

“Today, Bandcamp is thrilled to announce the arrival of Björk’s complete studio discography, with proceeds from all sales being donated by Björk and One Little Independent to Black Lives Matter UK from today until the end of Bandcamp’s NAACP fundraiser tomorrow,” announced Bandcamp on its official site.

This charity is a perfect event held by Bandcamp, which commemorate Juneteenth—aka June 18—the day that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. Bandcamp will donate the entire share to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Back in May, the “It’s Oh So Quiet” hitmaker announced the postponement of her 2020 orchestral concerts to 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak. She took to her Instagram, giving out the sad news to her fans:

“And as clearly as India can see the Himalayas, I announce that my concerts in the summer have been moved back a year. I hope you understand and looking forward to seeing you reborn,” said the singer.

ดูโพสต์นี้บน Instagram

dearestest of concert lovers here i am , in iceland , all safe from them viruses but unable to travel to you this summer i hope sincerely you are safe too i look around and this corona has strangely given each of us tasks some to stay still some more , centre ourselves better some to focus on family , some to become better chefs or cleaners and the collective earth to pollute less need less moveless and as clearly as india can see the himalayas i announce that my concerts in the summer have been moved back a year i hope you understand and looking forward to seeing you reborn warmth björk

โพสต์ที่แชร์โดย Björk (@bjork) เมื่อ พ.ค. 22, 2020 เวลา 4:55am PDT

Unfortunately, the UK did not appear in the dates for Björk’s upcoming shows. However, the rescheduled dates comprise five shows in total, with two back-to-back shows in Paris.

Having first engaged with this initiative back in March to roaring success, Bandcamp offered to waive their revenue fee (15% of digital sales and 10% of merchandise) on the first Fridays of May, June, and July, in an effort to support musicians whose touring income had been compromised by COVID-19. “Many artists have found merch and digital sales to be a last remaining financial lifeline”, read a statement from their newsfeed, “so, it’s more important than ever for fans to support musicians by purchasing from them directly”. 

Though the initial aim of supporting working musicians did remain (and with live touring not expected to return until late 2021, will likely continue to be an ongoing priority), the emergence of worldwide protests against police brutality towards black communities caused Bandcamp to urge those participating to redirect their aid to a list of artists and labels that were in turn donating to the protests. Last week the company announced that every Juneteenth (the 19th of June) they would be donating 100% of their profits to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, in addition to an annual pledge allocating $30,000 every year to organisations “that fight for racial justice and create opportunities for people of color”.  

Nestled amongst a laundry list of figures from the music industry that were “donating their share to organisations in support of racial justice and change”, the latest release from Arca and Shygirl is a contorting deluge of glitchy ambient pop, whose swift two-minute runtime is designed less for lasting impact and more for shock and awe. In a press release posted onto its Bandcamp page supplemented by lists of black trans charities and anti-racist reading, Shygirl said in a lengthy statement: 

“I wrote the lyrics to this song a while ago, originally thinking of love, family, betrayal and ultimately strength in adversity. It was only this week that I thought of this song again with everything going on. The emotion of the song still rang true but this time in a wider way, a bigger family, a deeper betrayal, a greater need for love. It felt right to share this now and I hope it means something to you.” 

The single “unconditional” comes ahead of Arca’s hotly anticipated fourth studio album KiCK i, slated for release on the 26th of June via XL Recordings. Alongside contributions from art pop juggernauts SOPHIE, Rosalía, and Björk, we know from the tracklist us that “Watch” will see these two London-based artists reunited on the same track for the second time this year.

We’ll have to wait patiently for the duo’s next collaboration, but to last us until then Arca has unveiled a music video for her latest single “Time”. Watch below: 

We’re waiving our share of sales this Friday, June 5th, from midnight to midnight PDT. Here’s a list of artists and labels with special releases, including many donating to organizations in support of racial justice and change. https://t.co/G5W0kdakHz

— bandcamp (@Bandcamp) June 3, 2020

Having first engaged with this initiative back in March, the online platform had reasoned that in light COVID-19’s impact on live tours (the primary source of income for most working musicians) “many artists have found merch and digital sales to be a last remaining financial lifeline … so, it’s more important than ever for fans to support musicians by purchasing from them directly”. The initial event was a huge success. Fans across the world spent $4.3 million in the space of 24 hours, 15 times the amount for a typical Friday and the highest number of sales in a single day of Bandcamp’s history.   

To keep supporting musicians during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are waiving our revenue share on all sales this Friday, May 1, from midnight to midnight PDT. Let’s come together as a community to put money directly into artists’ pockets: https://t.co/hPhgm7WBR4 pic.twitter.com/DG6KYI2IN5

— bandcamp (@Bandcamp) April 27, 2020

As if that wasn’t enough, the company then unveiled plans to repeat the initiative for the first Friday of the following three months. Today is the second of those three dates, after the first in May set another daily sales record of $7.1 million. Though initially the company’s actions were designed “to support the music community in this time of unprecedented need”, in light of the recent protests against police brutality towards black communities, it’s clear that Bandcamp are encouraging those participating in today’s event to redirect their aid to artists and labels donating to the protests. Just this Monday, Bandcamp themselves announced that every Juneteenth (the 19th of June) they would be donating 100% of their profits to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, in addition to an annual pledge allocating $30,000 every year to organisations “that fight for racial justice and create opportunities for people of color”. See the full list of the artists and labels alongside the organisations they’re donating to here.

In a powerful statement posted onto Bandcamp yesterday, Diamond wrote that “The current moment is part of a long-standing, widespread, and entrenched system of structural oppression of people of color”. “Real progress”, he continued “requires a sustained and sincere commitment to political, social, and economic racial justice and change”. With a well-documented history of fighting for the legal rights of African Americans and instigating public education toward America’s institutionalised racism, the NAACP are a more than appropriate recipient of this financial aid.

In addition to a pledge allocating $30,000 every year to organisations “that fight for racial justice and create opportunities for people of color”, the statement detailed that the 19th of June initiative would also be repeated annually. This date, often referred to as ‘Juneteenth’, holds significance as the day of emancipation for the last enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy in 1865, two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Unlike the highly contentious Columbus Day, the US does not officially celebrate the 19th of June as a national holiday.

If you yourself want to offer financial support, below is a list of funds you can donate to other than the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The Minnesota Freedom Fund has advised that they are overwhelmed with donations, and recommended donating to other funds to best help protestors:

– The Atlanta Solidarity Fund is raising bail and bond money for jailed protestors in Atlanta.

– The Black Visions Collective are a black, trans, and queer-led social justice organisation and legal fund based in Minneapolis-St. Paul

– Communities United Against Police Brutality operate a crisis hotline where people can report abuse; offer legal, medical, and psychological resource referrals; and engage in political action against police brutality.

– The Know Your Rights Camp is an organisation founded by Colin Kaepernick that provides education and training in black communities and has set up a legal fund for Minneapolis protestors.

Last Friday’s initiative had been announced after the company launched a similar campaign on the 20th of March, in an effort “to support the music community in this time of unprecedented need”. That event had been a massive success; by foregoing their usual revenue (15% of digital sales and 10% of merchandise), Bandcamp encouraged music lovers to spend over $4.3 million in the space of 24 hours. Not only was it 15 times the typical amount for a Friday, at the time it had been the highest number of sales for any day in the company’s history.

Update on last Friday's campaign: Fans paid artists $7.1 million in just 24 hours ($2.8m more than March 20th). Thank you for supporting artists impacted by Covid-19, and mark your calendars for the next #BandcampFriday on June 5th! https://t.co/hPhgm7WBR4

— bandcamp (@Bandcamp) May 4, 2020

Having already effectively gifted hundreds of thousands of dollars to the music creators on its platform, Bandcamp refused to rest on their laurels and promised to waive their fees again for the first Friday of May, June, and July. Last week saw the first of those dates come round boasting another record breaking-tally of sales, clearing the 20th of March’s already impressive total by nearly $3 million.

Despite the financial strain put upon artists owing to lost income from cancelled festivals and postponed tours, Bandcamp’s pledges to provide relief to working musicians is a beacon amongst the sea of worry that’s flooding the creative industries at the moment. But as Diamond said: “the pandemic and its impact on the music community aren’t over”. 

Seeing as a recent projection put live concerts out of the question until Autumn 2021, it’s vital that those of us who care about music culture keep it alive. If you missed your chance to do so last Friday, support your favourite artists by buying their music through Bandcamp from 00:00-11:59 PDT on the 5th of June and the 3rd of July.