Tim Burgess is set to bring his popular Merch Market to London in 2026. This event, which takes place at Troxy, offers bands an opportunity to sell merchandise without paying commissions. Last year’s event took place in Manchester and received high praise. It allowed participating bands to retain 100 percent of their merchandise income.
Merch Market Highlights
The Merch Market in London will feature a variety of bands and stalls. Notable bands such as New Order, Inspiral Carpets, Everything Everything, Cabbage, and others participated last year. At the previous event, members of New Order joined Burgess for live interviews, sharing their experiences and insights.
Event Venue and Participating Locations
Troxy will serve as the main hub for stalls, live interviews, and performances. Additionally, several nearby venues will join in:
- The George Tavern: Hosting bands and stalls throughout the day.
- The Old Ship: Featuring interviews and vendor stalls.
- The Clement Attlee: Offering more stalls and events.
Notably, Tonic Music will showcase Terry Hall’s piano during the market. Tim’s Vinyl Adventures will also attend, along with numerous record labels. A list of participating artists will be provided closer to the event date.
Burgess’ Commitment to Fairness
Burgess has been an advocate for fairness in merchandise sales. Previously, he expressed concerns regarding venues taking significant cuts from merch sales. He mentioned that some venues retain up to 25 percent of merchandise income, which can be detrimental to smaller artists. In light of these issues, the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) initiated a campaign that led to 400 venues agreeing not to take a commission on merchandise sales.
Even while discussing his own band, The Charlatans, Burgess emphasizes the need for fairness in the industry. He pointed out that often the bar revenue surpasses merchandise sales at concerts, highlighting an inequity in how profits are shared.
Upcoming Album Release
The Charlatans will also release a new album titled ‘We Are Love’ on October 31 through BMG. Burgess regards it as their finest work to date. The album features producers such as Dev Hynes and Stephen Street, renowned for their work with major acts including The Smiths and Blur.
Burgess has shared his excitement about collaborating with Hynes, reflecting on their history and mutual respect in the music industry. He anticipates that their combined efforts will resonate well with fans.
In summary, the 2026 Merch Market promises to be a vibrant gathering for music fans in London, promoting fair sales practices while celebrating the merchandise that connects artists with their audiences.
