Hey rock and roll bands, how is it going? Good I hope. After seeing the outrageous prices the White Stripes were charging for merchandise ($6 for three one inch pins?!!!!), I’ve decided to put together a handy pricing guide for bands. If you want your fans to love you forever and ever, here’s a basic outline of what you should be charging the people who let you make your music.
T-SHIRTS
$10 for all local bands and indie bands keeping it true to their heart. $15 is acceptable if you’ve hit the Matador Records level and are on tour. Just remember, your labelmates Yo La Tengo are being much cooler than you by selling shirts @ $10 most of the time.. $20 if you’re Wilco, because if you’re Wilco, all is forgiven. Bands touring from overseas (Belle and Sebastian) and with more than 20 members (The Polyphonic Spree) are allowed to charge this, because tours like theirs cost money. $25 should only be charged by shitty bands you shouldn’t be seeing live anyway. ALBUMS
$10 for full lengths. If you’re labels are requiring you to sell it for $15, do it, but throw in a free sticker or pin. We already paid for your concert, dude. $5 for EPs. No brainer. POSTERS
$5 if they’re the same promotional poster hanging up in record stores. (They should be free, to be honest.) $15 if they’re limited edition, specially screened. Bonus if they’re numbered and signed by the artist. STICKERS, PINS
These small things should always be free when possible, but if you must charge they should be $1 each, or two for $1.
Some of the larger, more corporate venues are going to want a piece of the merchandise sale. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO RAISE YOUR PRICES. If you’ve agreed to play at some shitty Clear Channel venue, take the hit and let the fans get your stuff cheap. Chances are if you’re in a bigger venue it also means a bigger ticket price.
And remember, when possible, keep it to a multiple of $5. There’s nothing dumber than paying $16 for a t-shirt. Chances are the merch guy will run out of singles halfway through the night.