Tim Burgess Merch Market announces 2027 events in London Manchester Glasgow
The dream of fair commerce and band community just got a major geographical upgrade. Musician Tim Burgess is bringing his beloved Merch Market back for a massive, multi-city event in 2027, set to sweep across London, Manchester, and Glasgow.
This initiative, born from a desire to level the playing field for musicians, has rapidly grown from a localized idea into a celebrated platform. The Merch Market was originally launched by Burgess to give bands the opportunity to sell their merchandise for free, ensuring they keep 100% of the income. This commitment to fairness quickly resonated with the music world.
The first edition of the market took place in Manchester, serving as a perfect foundation for the concept. It quickly proved that bringing artists together for a shared experience—merch sales, live sets, and fan interaction—was more than just a commercial venture; it was a brilliant way to foster community.
The market’s success continued with its second edition, which brought the excitement to London’s Troxy. This event featured a vibrant mix of talent, including performances and appearances from artists like Sprints, Blur’s Dave Rowntree, Honeyglaze, and Public Service Broadcasting’s J Willgoose, demonstrating the event’s ability to draw diverse audiences.
As the concept evolved, it expanded its offerings. The 2026 edition included Tim’s Vinyl Adventures, a record fair where he featured roughly 300 records from his personal collection, alongside the introduction of a vintage souvenir ticket generator, allowing fans to create tangible keepsakes of gigs.
The underlying philosophy of the Merch Market remains rooted in fairness. Burgess has consistently championed addressing the system where venues often take unfair cuts of merchandise sales, insisting that the market is about fairness, not simply making money. This push for equitable dealings has attracted a growing number of venues who have signed up to avoid taking cuts from artists.
Organizing these large, community-focused events requires seamless logistics, and organizers have embraced innovative solutions. The event utilized the payment platform atVenu, which provided excellent support for payments and inventory, highlighting how creative partnerships can make these ambitious ideas a reality.
Looking ahead, the 2027 edition is set to be the biggest yet, planned to spread across three days and three cities. The schedule will kick off in London at Troxy on Sunday, January 24th, followed by Manchester at Freight Island on January 31st, and finally, the highly anticipated debut in Scotland at Barrowlands on February 28th. This marks the first time the Merch Market will venture to Scotland.
Tim Burgess continues to express excitement for the future, noting that the movement has gone from strength to strength. The Merch Market isn’t just a marketplace; it’s a blueprint for how music fans and artists can connect, celebrate each other, and build a more equitable world for music.
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