Tim Burgess announces free Manchester Merch Market for bands to sell merchandise commission-free

Tim Burgess has announced a new free event called Merch Market, taking place across multiple Manchester venues, where bands and artists can sell their merchandise without commission.

The Charlatans frontman will host his own stall at the event, offering merchandise and rarities from his personal collection, including five exclusive Charlatans 'Sproston Green' sports bags ahead of their general release.

"The Merch Market is a chance for bands and solo artists to check what's stashed in their rehearsal room, languishing in storage or hiding under the bed – and it's also the opportunity to make some limited run items, only available at The Merch Market," Burgess said. "Stalls are free, no commission taken, 100 per cent of the income can be kept by the bands."

He added: "We've been working with the folks at Print Manchester on some cutting-edge merch printing on the spot – can't wait for everyone to see what we've been up to."

The event will take place on 25th May across O2 Ritz, Gorilla and Dog Bowl, featuring stalls, live performances, DJ sets, on-stage interviews and panels. The market will run from 11am until late, with varying times across venues. Attendees will have opportunities to win rarities, signed vinyl test pressings and VIP tickets for Kendal Calling 2025.

Artists and manufacturers interested in participating can request a stall through the Help Us Help Bands website.

The initiative follows Burgess's ongoing campaign against venue commission on merchandise sales. In 2021, he highlighted the issue of venues taking up to 25 per cent commission on merchandise sales, leading to 400 venues joining the '100% Venues' database, agreeing not to take cuts from artists' merchandise revenue.

The Charlatans are set to release a picture disc vinyl of 'The Only One I Know' for Record Store Day 2025.