Bandcamp CEO confirms platform’s acquisition by Epic Games
"We’ll continue to build Bandcamp around our artists-first revenue model"
By Joe Goggins
The CEO of Bandcamp has announced that the platform will be acquired by Epic Games.
In a blog post shared on social media today (March 2), Ethan Diamond, who founded the music site in Oakland in September 2008, confirmed the move, calling Epic “champions for a fair and open Internet.” The firm are best known for publishing ‘Fortnite’ and creating the Unreal game engine.
Diamond insisted that the buyout would not compromise the principles that have arguably made Bandcamp the independent music world’s preferred platform for streaming and downloading, with artists taking home an average of 82% of every sale on the site. Instead, he said that Epic’s resources would allow for international growth and an expansion of Bandcamp’s current offer.
“Bandcamp will keep operating as a standalone marketplace and music community, and I will continue to lead our team,” he said. “The products and services you depend on aren’t going anywhere, we’ll continue to build Bandcamp around our artists-first revenue model.”
Continuing to address artists directly, he went on: “you’ll still have the same control over how you offer your music, Bandcamp Fridays will continue as planned, and the Daily [the site’s online music publication] will keep highlighting the diverse, amazing music on the site.”
Expanding on his vision for his platform moving forward, he continued: “Behind the scenes we’re working with Epic to expand internationally and push development forward across Bandcamp, from basics like our album pages, mobile apps, merch tools, payment system, and search and discovery features, to newer initiatives like our vinyl pressing and live streaming services.”
Bandcamp was lauded for introducing its Bandcamp Friday initiative over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to help artists who had suffered a steep loss of income owing to the shuttering of venues and the delaying of releases. It saw the site waive their share of revenue for one Friday each month in 2020; the programme has operated quarterly since 2021.
In their own statement, Epic alluded to Bandcamp’s commitment to “fair and open platforms,” in an apparent dig at Apple and Google, both of whom Epic have launched legal action against over what they deem to be the tech giants’ unjustifiably high cut of revenue from the sale of Epic products through Apple Store and Google Play.