Amidst the evolving landscape of the music industry, singer Kate Nash has expressed her belief that her new venture on OnlyFans may surpass the earnings she generates through traditional touring. The musician, who rose to fame in 2007 with her popular track "Foundations," emphasized the economic difficulties artists face while on tour, stating that "touring makes losses not profits."
Debuting her OnlyFans account with the catchy slogan "Butts for tour buses," Nash revealed that the income from the platform would aid in funding her passion projects throughout her 18-year music career. She stated, "I want to highlight that, and I want people to talk about it. I want people to know the truth about what’s happening in the music business."
Recently finishing a three-week tour in the United States, Nash began her UK concert dates in Glasgow, with her sold-out performance at London's Koko drawing significant attention. Despite her popularity, Nash candidly admitted to BBC News, "I'm losing money from those tours." She lamented the struggles of making a profit, stating, "The only way I could find to make a profit is to either sell enough T-shirts to cover the debt or cut wages, fire band and crew, or travel dangerously."
Nash, however, refuses to compromise on the quality of her shows, leading her to explore alternative income streams. "So is this a job, or is it a passion project?" she questioned, diving into the importance of women taking control of their narratives. Her posts on OnlyFans feature revealing, but not explicit, images, with Nash stating, "I enjoy taking pictures of my bum. I've always been a bit of a flasher."
Reflecting on her career, Nash indicated that she may earn more from her OnlyFans content over the next few months than through music touring. Echoing sentiments shared by fellow artist Lily Allen about lucrative opportunities in selling personal images, Nash beckoned fellow musicians to rethink their financial futures in this shifting industry.
She pointed to a recent survey by Pirate, a network dedicated to recording and rehearsal studios, which noted that most artists have yet to see an increase in gig fees, despite escalating ticket prices. Nash remarked on the disparity, "Festival prices and ticket prices have gone up drastically, but the musicians' wage hasn't."
In concluding her remarks, Nash called attention to the imbalance in an industry where a few corporations and select artists thrive, while the majority struggle. She suggested that musicians could benefit from lessons drawn from the sex work industry, asserting that artists should feel empowered to take control of their careers and recognize the value of their contributions.
As touring acts face increasing hurdles across the globe, Nash’s innovative approach may spur the next wave of change in an industry that continues to grapple with economic realities.
