Epic acquiring Bandcamp - Why are musicians up in arms?

Name: Epic Games X Bandcamp (and 40% of Tencent).

Well, what’s happened? Epic (The game developers behind kid's favourite Fortnite) have acquired the online music hub Bandcamp. It has sent the music community into meltdown and raised some serious questions about the platform's future.?

Why is it important? Not only does this demonstrate an insatiable hunger for expansion from Epic, but its push into the wider entertainment space puts the core of the Bandcamp ethos at risk. Whilst Epic itself isn’t the worst of acquirers (its online games marketplace only takes 12% of every sale), it’s the involvement of Tencent that has everyone worried. The Chinese entertainment giant has a 40% stake in Epic Games, meaning it has considerable sway in the new Bandcamp boardroom. There is a real risk here that Bandcamp could become another generic streaming service.

So it’s really about independence? Precisely. Smaller artists have been flocking to Bandcamp for years thanks to its generous monetary policy (they only take 10%!), insightful editorial content and the ability to be label-free. It had cemented itself as the anti-Spotify, where musicians can produce whatever music they want, and can actually make a living from it. Now they’ve sold their soul to the man, man.?

But things might not change. Ok, you’ve got a point. Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Bandcamp, did say that “the products and services you depend on aren’t going anywhere”. Now, it could just be corporate waffle, but it could also be true. Plus, the possibility of a frictionless integration of Bandcamp artists into games on the Epic platform is exciting for all involved. Much like concerts and collaborations we’ve already seen from Epic Games, artists could be presented with a wealth of virtual experiences to plug their name. Picture a Glastonbury equivalent in Fortnite. But with less mud…

Do say: “Boy, I sure hope Bandcamp Fridays will stay.”

Don’t say: “Can’t wait to tune in to Fortnite FM!”