Kate Nash Launches OnlyFans Campaign to Support Tour
English singer-songwriter Kate Nash has turned to OnlyFans to fund her European and UK tour, a move prompted by the financial challenges of life on the road. Nash's OnlyFans campaign, named "Butts for Tour Buses," aims to offset the soaring costs associated with touring. She launched her tour in Europe and the UK late last month, with upcoming performances scheduled in cities like Utrecht, Osnabrück, Berlin, and Cologne starting December 5.
The Financial Strain of Touring
Despite declaring touring as "the best job EVER," Kate Nash described it as more of a "passion project" due to its minimal financial returns. A survey by Pirate Studios supports this, highlighting that while the cost of gigs and festivals has increased, the majority of artists struggle to break even. This rise in expenses covers everything from travel and accommodation to promotion and paying staff, yet the income from gigs has not seen a corresponding increase.
Alternative Revenue Streams
In an innovative approach to funding, Nash is directing her fans to support her by purchasing merchandise or subscribing to her OnlyFans account under the username "katenyash87." This platform is not just a means of income but a way for Nash to ensure her team is fairly compensated and maintain the high quality of her performances. With a quip about her streaming revenue, Nash said, "No need to stream my music, I'm good for the 0.003 of a penny per stream thanks. Pogue Mahone everyone!"
Critique of Industry Practices
Nash has voiced criticism towards major industry players like Spotify and Live Nation for their economic practices. She highlighted the stark disparity in earnings, noting the miniscule per-stream payout from Spotify and the significant annual revenue increase for Live Nation. Despite these profits, there's been a lack of action towards supporting smaller music venues as recommended by governmental guidelines.
OnlyFans vs. Streaming Economics
The artist emphasized the irony in the industry’s economic structure, pointing out that a small number of OnlyFans subscribers might prove more lucrative than millions of monthly listeners on streaming platforms like Spotify. This underscores the challenges artists face and the innovative strategies they must employ to sustain their careers in the current musical landscape.
