Yes, I'm pretty sure if you by the CD at the shows they get a much much larger chunk.

I think somebody told me that the artist has to buy the CDs they sell at shows from their record label, so then they keep whatever the difference is from what they paid and what they sell for. CDs at shows are usually a little more money too, which sometimes comes with the opportunity of the artist signing the item after a show and then...maybe that is so there is enough margin in the sale to actually benefit the artist and pay for the merch stand, transportation, etc.

If that is the case hope they get a pretty good price when they buy them.

Makes perfect sense! We are adjusting our buying habits accordingly - many thanks!

Depends on a few things. Major label - not really. Much depends on the deal signed. Most of the artists profit is in the marked up pricing. So charging you more and pocketing the difference. Not sure that I support that concept. Independent - yes as the deals usually pay more. Self release - Bingo.

This is why they push all the other merch more than CDs as their cut is much bigger. Want to give the artist more money to support them - buy a shirt.

Or buy an auto-pen autographed copy for more. 😛 😛 😉

hahahahahaha!! autopen!! hahaha!

well it depends. I'm not that much into T shirts and other stuff. Kinda over it. Merch burn out. Don't need stuff signed or yadda yadda. Don't need selfies either.

If it's someone touring behind an album we like but haven't got yet, we'll probably defer to buying at the show since they might lose a little less over it.

On a related topic.....we saw Les Brers at a small place, a theater that sits maybe 3-400. They were selling that show there; for 25 bucks, you could sign up to order a copy of the show to be sent to you in a week.

As I said, this was a small venue. Also, since the show was almost all songs that we all have plenty of live versions of, the purchase may not have seemed as essential to some. Thus, I assume this was not a HUGE money maker. Yet they were doing it.

Why doesn't TTB!?!?

Their label likely does not want that as it would affect their end. Part of dealing with a major label. But the label has promoted them and given them decent support which has definitely helped them.

Govt Mule makes more from their downloads that from album sales. Been very successful for them but their album sales have never been very good.

I know that my buddies' band who operate on the margins here in the UK use merch and particularly cd sales to finance and turn a profit on a tour. They try to put out some kind of release every year and usually will be given maybe 500 cds at cost from the label. so, maybe they pay £3 for these and sell em f0r 10 in the U.K. It's almost the new kind of "tour support"
Also they can buy more at whatever the label charges the stores. This band does a fair bit of work in Scandinavia so even that works out well for them as they can charge nearly double in those countries, as that's what Scandinavians expect to pay.
Another thing they've done in recent years is a scaled down acoustic thing with just the core members. Do an acoustic album, then you can play the same territories twice in a year, do a live album from that then sell that on next years acoustic tour.
I'm always impressed with the new ways these guys find to keep working and earning a living while doing what they love.