Tomberlin speaks out against live venue who asks for 41% merch cut

On X (Twitter) last night, Tomberlin wrote that Wolf Trap was demanding a cut of over half her profits from selling merch, which would've left her at a loss for performing at the shows.

"reactivating on this horrible hell hole website to share a bit about the proposed merch cut of FORTY ONE PERCENT tonight which means i would make no money after all my costs," she wrote, adding, "i opted to not well merch tonight because of this unreasonable rule at a “non profit venue”". She also wrote out, and explained the proposed merch splits to make it clearer for fans to understand the unreasonable fees that the venue were trying to take from her.

Last year, Jack Antonoff weighed in on the subject, saying: "While we are having the discussion, can venues simply stop taxing merchandise of artists? This is literally the only way you make money when you start out touring.”

reactivating on this horrible hell hole website to share a bit about the proposed merch cut of FORTY ONE PERCENT tonight which means i would make no money after all my costs

i opted to not well merch tonight because of this unreasonable rule at a “non profit venue” pic.twitter.com/rJeT1g1rjQ

— tomberlin (@tomberlin) September 18, 2023

This morning, Tomberlin took to Instagram to provide a longer statement on the matter, adding that she felt supported by fans and some venue staff for speaking out against the venue's merch cut policy.

After naming and shaming the venue, she wrote: "they had the most aggressive merch cuts i’ve seen so far with a forced venue sell (meaning my seller i pay each day could not sell for me and we could not use our own square account) the cuts: 30% of soft merch (anything that is not music), 10% on recorded merch , a 5% card fee, and a 6% tax (which they retain)".

She went on to explain that logistically, she's touring with her cousin – who is the person selling her merch each night – and it's difficult trying to make ends meet for six weeks, with such a small crew.

"i felt it was an extremely unfair rate and that altogether a merch cut is an archaic rule and truly a made up model by the heads of these venues and company’s to continue to profit off of the labor of those who’s labor is already undervalued," she continued. "that is why we have to go on tour and become a walmart and sell you tshirts. to make a living. because we artists today, especially those of us starting out the last few years, cannot afford to make a living if we don’t sell you t shirts."