Kate Nash says she had no choice but to join OnlyFans to help fund her tours amid rising costs post-Brexit.
Touring musicians face significant financial challenges, especially emerging artists, as rising costs for transportation, accommodation, and logistics make it difficult to sustain profitable tours.
The 38-year-old noughties star funded her tour through OnlyFans and has been massively vocal on the financial struggles facing the music industry, even inventing the slogan: “Butts for tour buses.”
Speaking to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee this week, she said: “I was doing everything I could do to cut costs, which I really hate doing as an employer.
“We are at risk of losing our reputation and pride in our culture, which will have a knock-on effect on the UK economy. The more we limit artists, the more we limit UK culture on a global scale.”
With tickets for most shows skyrocketing – with the likes of Oasis and Harry Styles’ prices causing an outcry among fans – the Foundations hitmaker warned that music will soon become a luxury only the wealthy can afford.
She said: “I think music should not be exclusive, it’s for all, and it becomes an issue of class, it becomes an issue of race, gender and sexuality and identity, because the doors are closing on who can choose to take that kind of risk.”
Kate’s most recent European tour left her £26,000 out of pocket, and she faced a further £13,000 loss on her UK dates.
Selling suggestive photos through the adults‑only subscription platform has become her sole way of funding her ability to tour.
She said: “Now the only reason it is possible for me to do it is because I sell pictures of my bum on the internet.
“I started an OnlyFans account during my last touring cycle to get some attention on the issue, which it did.
“Myself and a lot of artists are sick of screaming into the void on how difficult it is.”