Cabal Protest Budapest Venue Merch Cuts With Free Giveaway: “With The Percentage We Would Have To Pay, We Could Just As Well Give The Merch Away For Free”

Danish post-deathcore band Cabal have staged a public protest against venue merchandise fees, announcing they will give away merch for free at tonight’s show at Analog Music Hall in Budapest, Hungary.

The move comes after the band revealed that the venue’s merch cut structure would leave them operating at a financial loss if they proceeded with standard sales. Instead of paying a percentage on every item sold, the group decided to turn the situation into a live statement—handing out merch directly from the stage during their set.

In a statement shared on social media, the band explained the decision bluntly:

“With the percentage we would have to pay, we could just as well give the merch away for free, so we will be doing just that, by throwing some free stuff out to you all from stage tonight.”

They added that merchandise is one of the only reliable income streams for touring artists, describing it as their “bread and butter” that helps keep the band financially afloat while on the road. While fans may miss out on choosing specific items or sizes, the band stressed that they would rather avoid routing money into what they see as unsustainable venue fees.

The situation mirrors a growing trend across the live music scene, where artists are increasingly vocal about merch cuts—a system where venues take a percentage of touring bands’ merchandise revenue. While cuts often sit around 20% of gross sales, some venues reportedly impose higher rates or additional restrictions, including control over staffing at merch tables.

Earlier this month, Silent Planet carried out a similar protest during a European tour stop in Milan, Italy, highlighting how widespread frustration over the practice has become among touring acts.

Cabal’s decision turns that frustration into a direct fan experience—transforming a traditional merch table transaction into a live, in-your-face giveaway, and putting a spotlight on the financial pressures facing mid-level touring bands.

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