The Lovely Eggs call out O2 Apollo Manchester for taking 30% of merch sales

Over the past few months bands have been experiencing certain venues across the country taking a larger cut of their merch sales, impacting their own funding for tours, and forcing some bands to change venues. The Lovely Eggs are the latest band to call out a venue, this time aimed at O2 Apollo Manchester, where they supported Pavement last night.

"We were robbed last night. By O2 Apollo Manchester who took 30% of our merch sales," The Lovely Eggs wrote. "Also forced to sell T shirts for £35. Found out last minute. Tried to fight it. But management wouldn’t listen. This shit will kill DIY bands like us. O2 Apollo you should be ashamed of yourself."

We were robbed last night. By @O2ApolloManc who took 30% of our merch sales. Also forced to sell T shirts for £35. Found out last minute. Tried to fight it. But management wouldn’t listen. This shit will kill DIY bands like us. O2 Apollo you should be ashamed of yourself. pic.twitter.com/vmlMoutZr0

— The Lovely Eggs 🇺🇦 (@TheLovelyEggs) October 21, 2022

Tim Burgess also shared his thoughts on Twitter, writing, "A headline band playing a decent sized venue can take a hit on merch percentages but last night The Lovely Eggs were the opening act at O2 Apollo Manchester. Their fee wouldn’t be huge but they would hope to find new fans. We need a conversation with venues taking 30% of merch sales."

He continued, "I’d suggested ages ago that support bands should be able to sell merch commission free and that vinyl sales should always be commission free but unless artists get together, venues don’t have to listen. Obviously not all venues do this but enough do."

"We are happy to pay anyone that has to work at the venue selling merch, but most of the time a band has someone with them to do that," Burgess added. "Someone who knows the fans, band etc - we pay them whether they work or not so it’s all a bit daft."

A headline band playing a decent sized venue can take a hit on merch percentages but last night @TheLovelyEggs were the opening act at @O2ApolloManc. Their fee wouldn’t be huge but they would hope to find new fans. We need a conversation with venues taking 30% of merch sales

— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) October 21, 2022

We are happy to pay anyone that has to work at the venue selling merch, but most of the time a band has someone with them to do that. Someone who knows the fans, band etc - we pay them whether they work or not so it’s all a bit daft

— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) October 21, 2022