Direct-to-fan platform Bandcamp has launched a new subscription service that gives users access to monthly record selections, listening parties, recommendations and exclusive artist content.
One of its key selling points is no algorithms – all the music featured in each of the clubs is curated by a “respected tastemaker” in the music business.
The ‘Bandcamp Clubs’ feature launched on Tuesday (September 2) with a USD $13-a-month subscription fee that includes a “subscribe-to-own” music discovery experience: featured albums become a permanent part of a Bandcamp user’s music library.
“Instead of algorithms, fans get human-curated picks from some of the best DJs and journalists in their respective areas, exclusive interviews with artists, and community listening parties,” Bandcamp General Manager Dan Melnick said.
“Vibrant music scenes are made up of DJs, journalists, fans, and artists, and Bandcamp Clubs reflect that… As always, artists are paid fairly and sit at the heart of the experience.”
For now, there are four Bandcamp Clubs, each of which has to be subscribed to individually:
The Jaz-ish Jazz Club is curated by journalist, DJ and broadcaster Tina Edwards and “celebrates the global jazz continuum, from UK jazz and Latin grooves to psychedelic soul and left-field electronics.”
Dance Around the World is curated by BBC Radio 1 host and Future Bounce label head Jamz Supernova, and “explores global dancefloors and boundary-pushing sounds.”
Kosmos Klub is curated by artist and producer Ajay Saggar, and features “adventurous psych, dub, krautrock, gospel, electronic, and more, reflecting his work with My Bloody Valentine, Dinosaur Jr., and Mogwai.”
The Hard Stuff is curated by journalist and NTS/Gimme Radio host J. Bennett, and features “the spectrum of heavy music, including trad metal, death, black, punk hybrids, grind, and beyond.”
“Instead of algorithms, fans get human-curated picks from some of the best DJs and journalists in their respective areas.”
Dan Melnick, Bandcamp
Bandcamp describes the new Clubs feature as its latest initiative to build on its “ethos to support independent artists.” The platform drew significant attention when it launched Bandcamp Fridays, under which it waives its share of revenues and donates all sales to artists for 24 hours on the first Friday of every month.
Initially launched in 2020 as a way to help artists during the shutdowns of the Covid-19 pandemic, the program has continued in the post-pandemic era, and Bandcamp says the initiative has now raised more than $140 million for artists.
Founded in 2008, Bandcamp launched as a direct-to-consumer alternative to record labels for artists. It has since expanded its services to include features such as ticketed live-streaming and vinyl pressing.
It has also become a new avenue of monetization for indie labels such as Sub Pop, Fat Wreck Chords and Warp. Artists such as Peter Gabriel and Bjork have placed their catalogs on the platform.
Bandcamp was acquired by video game maker Epic Games in 2022, which sold it to music licensing platform Songtradr in 2023.Music Business Worldwide
