Singer Kate Nash has boldly expressed her belief that her income from OnlyFans could exceed what she makes from touring. The artist, famed for her 2007 hit "Foundations," joined the platform as a practical response to the financial difficulties many musicians face on the road. On Thursday, she announced her strategy with the catchy slogan "Butts for tour buses," indicating that the funds from her OnlyFans account will help subsidize her concerts—events she claims have turned increasingly unprofitable.
Explaining her decision, Nash observed that "touring makes losses, not profits," rendering traditional revenue streams unviable. She views her venture into the world of adult content as both a form of empowerment and a form of protest, stating, "It's a bit of a punk protest as a woman to take control of my body and sell it." With 18 years in the industry under her belt, she aims for transparency, urging the public to engage in conversations about the music business’s current state.
Having recently completed a three-week tour in the US, Nash has commenced her UK shows in Glasgow and plans to continue across Europe, with her London Koko concert already sold out. Nash candidly shared her struggle with financial sustainability, highlighting a lack of profit in her tours. She stated, "The only way I could find to make a profit on the tour is either selling T-shirts or cutting wages and crew." This leaves artists like her questioning whether music is a "job" or merely a "passion project."
Nash stressed the value of women feeling empowered and taking charge of their narratives. She often shares playful, revealing photos as she recognizes the humor and artistry associated with body image. “I think the arse is the perfect combination of comedy and sexuality,” she said, humorously affirming her enjoyment in sharing such content. “I'm going to probably make more money doing that than the music over the next three months."
Alongside her revelations, Nash also remarked on streaming services like Spotify, indicating that she is unimpressed with the paltry earnings provided per stream. Her remarks resonate with others in the industry, such as fellow musician Lily Allen, who has noted her earnings from OnlyFans overshadow her income from Spotify.
The broader context reveals that many artists are grappling with similar financial burdens, leading to canceled tours by acts like Rachel Chinouriri and Ratboy. Nash referenced a survey by a rehearsal studio network that illustrated stagnant artist wages despite soaring ticket prices, raising concerns about the financial viability of being a musician in today's climate.
In her closing thoughts, she advocated for musicians to draw lessons from sex workers. "You're deciding what you want to do and how you want to do it, and people want to pay you for it," she expressed. Nash contended that it's crucial for artists to reclaim value for their work and explore alternative revenue streams, challenging the status quo of the music industry.
