Cervantes Denver Removes All Venue Merch Fees Effective Immediately

Denver venue Cervantes has removed all venue merch fees putting 100% of the money back in the pocket of artists.

The Denver, Colorado venue Cervantes has rid itself of all venue-associated merch fees, effective immediately. This movement puts money back into the pockets of the artists performing at the acclaimed venue.

Cervantes is one of the first independent venues that have eliminated fees for their artists. This comes after Live Nation announced their On The Road Again endeavor which is geared towards putting money back in the pockets of artists as well as promoting touring across the country. At the helm of this along with Live Nation is none other than American singer-songwriter and guitarist legend Willie Nelson. A plethora of electronic dance music mainstays like Ravenscoon have also expressed their support of this new movement on social media.

In addition to fully slashing merch fees, On The Road Again also gives artists $1,500 who perform at Live Nation clubs and venues across the country. The $1,500 dollar stipend consists of $750 in cash for bus stock and 3 $250 Shell Gas gift cards to go towards transportation. In return, Cervantes has completely eliminated all fees that the venue collects when artists sell their merch during their shows.

This is a massive pivot for artists and venues alike to promote and gear people towards supporting up-and-coming artists as well as aiding newer artists in the scene to step out of their comfort zone and into performing in a new city. Before, newer artists sometimes cut a loss after fees added up. But when venues put 100% of merch money back in the pockets of artists, it gives them the ability to expand their horizons.

Cervantes wrote, “Cervantes’ will no longer be taking a venue merch percentage of artist merchandise. The standard rate is typically for venues to take 20% of artist merch sales which we are abolishing making it more sustainable for artists to tour. We feel they deserve this money and are proud to be a part of this movement.”

This could also inspire or spark competing packages from other venues and clubs across the states and beyond. Music is the connector, and no better way to spread connection than sending money back to the artists so that they can in return continue to grow, improve, and define themselves beyond their local scene.

Opiou, a well know bass producer and DJ commented on Cervantes’s post, “F*CK YEAH CERVS.” This is a program where everyone wins. Check out Opiuo’s top tracks below to get a glimpse of the type of artists who are all for this new movement.