York Barbican joins FAC's 100% Venues plight, with flexible merch deals for artists

York Barbican has today announced that it is joining a growing number of UK venues committed to more flexible merchandise policies for artists, offering an initiative that aligns with evolving industry standards, and addressing the demands and rising costs faced by touring acts.

Starting May 2025, artists performing at York Barbican will be offered a new commission-free “self-vend” option, enabling them to staff and operate merchandise operations at their own shows. This offering is the latest initiative rolled out to protect and support artist earnings, particularly in the grassroots touring circuit. The venue will also retain their existing merchandise operation, giving the artist the choice between the two.

York Barbican is the latest to join the ranks of other UK venues supporting the Featured Artists Coalition’s (FAC) #100PercentVenues campaign. The FAC’s campaign continues to gain traction, with notable supporters including Charlatans’ Tim Burgess, who has helped raise awareness through his artist-led ‘Merch Market’ events.

Sam Ryder, General Manager of York Barbican said, “Merch is an increasingly important source of income for touring artists, and we want to support them in continuing to make touring more financially viable at concert hall level. We’re proud to further support the live music industry, by offering a commission-free option for artists who choose to self-vend.”

David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artists Coalition said, "As well as bringing their talent to the stage, artists are also the biggest employers in live music. However, without sales of T-shirts, vinyl and posters, many would find it impossible to cover their touring costs - or even to break even. This is why, since 2022, the FAC have been pushing for fairer practices in live music, including removal of and reductions in merchandise commissions via our 100% Venues campaign. Today's announcement by York Barbican is a welcome step towards that goal. We urge other venues to follow suit, and to offer artists the option of selling their merchandise commission free."

This move reflects a wider shift across the UK live music scene, as more venues reassess their role in supporting the viability of touring, especially for emerging and mid-level acts navigating the widely reported threats to the industry’s grassroots. Now, York Barbican signals its commitment to evolving with the needs of artists and the broader industry, putting York on the map as an artist-friendly top on the UK touring map. 

Simeon Walker, FAC Artist Council member, adds, “In the current economic climate, it is becoming increasingly challenging to make touring financially viable for many artists and bands, especially those of us who are working independently and/or at grassroots to a medium-sized level. Many hidden or unseen costs exist which often make simply breaking even a challenge.

In this context, it is vitally important we are able to have the option to conduct merchandise sales on a 0% commission basis following our live performances. The implementation of commission fees - sometimes up to 25% and beyond - is an abuse of the generosity and dedication of music fans, and can hold the key between breaking even and making a profit, which in itself is often needed to reinvest in future projects. Fundamentally, it compromises our ability as artists to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the music industry ecosystem as a whole, of which the live music sector is so important.

It is extremely heartening, then, to see an important regional venue with the prestige of York Barbican recognising this and joining ranks with many other venues across the UK who have committed to the FAC's 100% Venues campaign, and I welcome and thank them for this commitment.”

FAC has been campaigning to end commission fees on artists’ merchandise sales through the 100% Venues initiative. Key principles include no fees for support acts, transparency on rates, and artist control over merch operations. With recent support from Parliament, the FAC continues to push for change. The news of York Barbican supporting this campaign is another step in the right direction and we hope it encourages other venues to join the movement.

Find out more about the FAC’s 100% Venues campaign.