At the end of their concerts, the emerging country-rock band, Brown Horse, leaves the stage to join their merchandise stand. Selling T-shirts often brings in more revenue than the concert itself. This income is crucial to sustain their activity on the road. Like many unknown artists, the rising costs associated with touring result in a constant “struggle to keep moving forward,” they explain.
“We joke that we’re essentially wandering T-shirt sellers,” says lead singer Patrick Turner. “That’s often the impression it gives – all with a soundtrack.”
After a performance in Oxford last week, the five band members slept on their friends’ floors or drove their 30-year-old van for hours to save on accommodation. Returning to Norwich at 3:30 am, they had to go back to work the next day before hitting the road again a few days later.
“To balance the books, many sacrifices for well-being and comfort are necessary – which we do, and all the bands we know do as well. It is culturally accepted that this is what needs to be done,” explains Emma Tovell, Brown Horse’s bassist.
Luckily, their upcoming UK tour in October should be slightly easier. A £1 surcharge has been added to tickets for recent concerts in arenas and stadiums, featuring stars like Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, Lily Allen, Take That, Foo Fighters, Florence and the Machine, Lorde, and My Chemical Romance.
Points to remember
– Emerging bands, like Brown Horse, heavily rely on merchandise sales for survival. – Rising tour costs make the situation difficult for many musicians. – A significant portion of their time is spent juggling between tours and day jobs. – Solidarity among musicians is strong amidst the necessary sacrifices to progress.
This discussion raises important questions about the evolution of the music industry. The passion and dedication of these artists deserve recognition, but how far must they go to achieve recognition and financial comfort? Their experiences highlight a broader phenomenon concerning the value of artistic work, and I sincerely wonder if we, as a society, are doing enough to support these talents. Reflecting on this, I am convinced that every concert, every strum of a guitar, deserves to be valued appropriately.
