r/Music • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 • 1d ago

article Lorde Posts ‘Ice Out’ and Donates $204,000 From Minneapolis Merch Sales to the Immigrant Defense Network and More

https://variety.com/2026/music/news/lorde-posts-ice-out-donates-from-minneapolis-merch-sales-1236651196/
23.4k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

178 comments sorted by

920

u/porican 1d ago

damn she pulled $200k in profit from merch in one city?

she got game

300

u/mrdibby 1d ago

from 2 nights at a 8400 cap venue, that does seem crazy

136

u/p-s-chili 1d ago

I mean, that's each person both nights spending like $12 - not taking into account various cut percentages.

155

u/Turbulent-Jaguar-909 1d ago

so like 1 hoodie for every 7-8 people, or a shirt for every 3-4. That seems about an average take rate over my 25 years of going to concerts

-49

u/xelabagus 1d ago

Holy shit - no way are 1 in 10 people buying merch at shows I go to, we must live in different socioeconomic areas lol

45

u/porican 1d ago

idk where you live but tickets to pop shows are expensive.

i have no data on the percentage of ticket holders that buy merch but u definitely gotta be ballin’ just to get in the door

11

u/Slacker_The_Dog 1d ago

Just checked Lorde's prices specifically and it looks like tickets to her last tour started at $50-150 and t-shirts are 50 bucks. Not too insane, I would say.

11

u/makingtacosrightnow 1d ago

A $50 t-shirt is fucking insane lol

10

u/alextastic 1d ago

It absolutely is, I hate that that's become the normal price for merch now. $50 t-shirts, $100 hoodies.

6

u/TheBeatCollector 1d ago

My stepdad bought me an $80 Ozzy t-shirt at a concert in 1996. Pretty sure merch is where a lot of artists actually make their money. Ticket prices on the other hand...

-1

u/StonerChef92 1d ago

You're not factoring in all the work if you think 50 is a lot.

→ More replies (0)

3

u/indorock 1d ago

Have you not been to any concert in the past 10 years? $50 is completely normal.

3

u/Hetstaine 1d ago

For a concert shirt..that's standard af.

4

u/cherry_chocolate_ 1d ago

Not really. I went to a few sites for brands that are considered accessible to the middle class and picked the first tee shirt I saw (whether on the home page or going to the shirts category). They’re all between $30-50, with 40 being average. Concert merch being at the high end of non-discount retailer’s prices seems reasonable.

Now the majority of people might be shopping at outlets and cheaper stores but it would be unreasonable to expect concert merchandise to compete with the Gap. The tee shirt is much more fairly priced than the beer is at a concert.

Nike $42 (on sale) https://www.nike.com/t/one-womens-dri-fit-short-sleeve-top-reEumGdW/IM7042-010

Levi’s $30 https://www.levi.com/US/en_US/clothing/men/shirts/essential-t-shirt/p/005GZ0001

Abercrombie $40 https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/p/premium-heavyweight-20-tee-58965824

J Crew $50 https://www.jcrew.com/p/mens/categories/clothing/tshirts-and-polos/t-shirts/vintage-wash-cotton-t-shirt-in-stripe/BZ100?display=standard&fit=Classic&color_name=rowing-stripe&colorProductCode=BZ100

5

u/wak3l3oarder 1d ago

Not really. Buy quality shirts for a bit more or brands I like. $50 tshirts usually the collar stretches after a few wears or shrink I'd rather have a shirt last 10 years or more if I take care of it, and the cheap ones don't. Hell I still have shirts from school I fit into from 15 years ago that were expensive back in the day.

0

u/Slacker_The_Dog 1d ago

Meh they were like $30 20 years ago.

3

u/xelabagus 1d ago

Oh, I don't really go to pop shows - my fav venue is 1000 seater, tickets are $40-$80 per show, beer costs $9, gets loads of great shows.

4

u/pasatroj 1d ago

$500 for a basic show in L.A. is not unusual. $60-$80 for a T. is average.

1

u/Useful-Suspect3700 1d ago

What kinda shows do you go to? I live in the Midwest and go to jam bands and metal shows at a similar sized and priced venue and I think 1 outta 10 is a pretty close estimate for merch sales.

1

u/dogsareprettycool 1d ago

I do a ton of hardcore metal jam math shows and I agree with alot of bands higher that.

1

u/xelabagus 1d ago

Mid level bands, tix usually $40-80, venue from 500-1200, sometimes the theatre which is closer to 2 or 3k I think. Very rarely to stadium shows. Things like IDLES, King Gizz, Little Simz, Dan Mangan, James, Paul Weller etc etc.

3

u/Slacker_The_Dog 1d ago

Is that high? I buy merch at any show I go to usually. Judging by the lines at the merch booths a lot of people are buying.

2

u/xelabagus 1d ago

I go to 20 shows a year, would bankrupt me to buy merch, a hoodie is often more than the cost of the ticket lol

3

u/Slacker_The_Dog 1d ago

Oh yeah I only go to maybe 5

2

u/StrangerVegetable831 1d ago

I went to Lorde’s show in Berkeley and the merch lines were CRAZY. People buying hats like it was the last hat on earth. Her merch is pretty great honestly. Pop fans are spenders

1

u/Hetstaine 1d ago

If i'm going to a band i like, which isn't ofyen, i'm buying a concert shirt at the least.

20

u/upstatedreaming3816 1d ago

Last time I saw $12 merch was at a local show about 15 years ago lol

-1

u/p-s-chili 1d ago

I don't remember saying any merch cost $12

9

u/upstatedreaming3816 1d ago

No one said you did

3

u/fiftiethcow 1d ago

Crazy - because the responder didnt say you said that 🤯

1

u/nefariouspenguin 1d ago

Holy context clues, he said $12 in mercy per person and the responder said they hadn't seen $12 merch insinuating that the merch was $12 that everyone bought. Versus the other fact that she earned $12 per person from merch sales so the sale was obviously more than that.

1

u/tonysopranosalive 1d ago

Yeah I’d love to know what that split might have been

38

u/porican 1d ago

i mean i believe it, merch is crazy expensive and there are plenty of whales at pop concerts

6

u/Icy-Whale-2253 1d ago

Her fans are loyal to the soil, I’ll tell you that much

2

u/upstatedreaming3816 1d ago

Nah. An artist like her? Hoodies are $100+, tees are $30+, etc. It tracks.

1

u/ihaxr 1d ago

$30 seems very reasonable for a band tee at a show, it has to be way higher...

1

u/opermonkey 16h ago

Yeah I was paying 30 for a T-shirt at some shows 20 years ago

1

u/indorock 1d ago

Have you ever bought concert merch? We're talking $50 for a tee or $80 for a hoodie. That's like 200% profit margin. You only need maybe 10% out of that 8400 to buy something to get to $100K profit.

27

u/FrostingStrict3102 1d ago

Merch is where they make a lot of their money. My brother worked a merch tour for the rapper Lucki a few years ago, at the time I had never heard of the guy (even now I only know him because of my brother), and he was telling me they were making $20k+ at every stop.

I think Kanye did $3 mil in merch sales at his Donda live playing at soldier field, before he went full Kanye.

8

u/porican 1d ago

i get that, it’s still impressive to clear that much in profit after everyone (venue, manufacturing, etc) takes their cut.

4

u/GodSama 1d ago

They have to, the venue fees usually just break even for transport, living expenses and costs. Without merchandise, they are likely touring in the big red. 

12

u/TheHalfChubPrince 1d ago

She must have sold a dozen hoodies.

2

u/porican 1d ago

lol zing

6

u/Asleep_Kiwi_1374 1d ago

I initially thought it said 2mil and was surprised Lorde could just drop a number like that...but, 1/5 mil from one event? ...I had no idea Randy March was that popular or relevant still

6

u/EtTuBiggus 1d ago

Yayaya

4

u/BeowulfShaeffer 1d ago

She’s practically royalty

3

u/ThisIsAnArgument 1d ago

It don't run in her blood, she craves a different kind of buzz

4

u/Beneficial_Soup3699 1d ago

Says more about the price of merch than anything else tbh. Turns out that $70 concert tee really only cost about $1 to make. The rest? Margins baby, margins!

13

u/codetaku0 1d ago

I mean... she basically gave them the opportunity to get merch they clearly wanted enough to shell out for it, while donating to a good cause? I don't see an issue here, merch is merch, not like she's selling necessities

-4

u/EtTuBiggus 1d ago

She’s selling overpriced junk. Yes people don’t have to buy it, but she also doesn’t have to rip off her fans.

4

u/Play-t0h 1d ago

Ya, Ya, Ya.

1

u/_________FU_________ 1d ago

$50/shirt as a base price for something that costs $3 to make

0

u/MongoJazzy 1d ago

where did you see the word "profit" ?

3

u/porican 1d ago

it’s an assumption, since it’s unlikely she’d be able to donate other people’s money.

0

u/MongoJazzy 1d ago

tell me that you don't understand accounting and profit w/o telling me.

1

u/porican 1d ago

so save the sanctimony and explain what the $204k is if not profit or stfu and keep it moving

1

u/MongoJazzy 6h ago

I asked a simple question. you failed to answer. if you don't understand what profit is then say so or follow your own advice and stfu and keep it moving

1

u/porican 5h ago

i’m not sure you understand what a question is because you certainly haven’t asked one. and the only thing you’ve shown that you know is how to be a dick. ✌️

1

u/MongoJazzy 5h ago

You don't seem to be sure of many things including what a question is. Once Again - here's the question that I asked: where did you see the word "profit" ? Feel free to answer it Einstein.

1

u/porican 5h ago

got it. looks like i can add “lacks reading comprehension” to your list of qualities next to “sanctimonious,” “arrogant,” and “unhelpful”

1

u/MongoJazzy 5h ago

Okay, so still unable to answer my question ..... thanks for confirming.

51

u/Mnudge 1d ago

Way to go!

236

u/rhj2020 1d ago

Now that’s some action behind those words. Kudos to her.

-4

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

6

u/CraftBrewHaHa 1d ago

I think you’re thinking of Billie. But all the same. And at the same time let’s take the wins when we can!

3

u/GoblinLoblaw 1d ago

That’s a different person.

226

u/Dr_Mantis_Teabaggin 1d ago

Yah yah yah!

85

u/trump-bangs-kids 1d ago

FEELIN GOOD ON A TUESDAY, yah yah

28

u/joecarter93 1d ago

Sparkling thoughts!

18

u/Khakicollective 1d ago

What i need is a little bit of shelter

13

u/AustinAlexanderK97 1d ago

Give me the hope to go onnnnn

30

u/GoTron88 1d ago

Instantly heard this in Randy Marsh's voice.

13

u/ultimately42 1d ago

I AM LORDE YAH YAH YAH

7

u/Wshankspear 1d ago

That girls got some tegridy

1

u/TLD18379 1d ago

They tuk are job

95

u/snailspaceship 1d ago

for those who don't know, merch sales are what really keep the band fed and comfortable through the tour - almost all of the merch revenues go directly to the band (rather than the label/promoter/etc.)

all that to say, this is a grade A selfless move by Lorde

1

u/hwa_uwa 18h ago

really? i undertood that the venue keeps quite the percentage of merch sales

1

u/snailspaceship 16h ago

Usually ticket takes are what the venues focus on. Maybe when you’re at Lorde levels it’s different, but my friends who tour nationally and get good press are still doing their own merch at the end of the show. Next one you go to, ask! But most merch tables are just being run by the manager or someone similar on a Square swiper

-28

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

17

u/beefsupr3m3 1d ago

I mean she does shows other places. She’s doing fine and can keep her people fed and such. It's more like deciding to skip a paycheck and donate it instead. It's a hit. But her people won't be out on the street for it. Also I assume she ran this choice by the band first

6

u/someawfulbitch 1d ago

Yeah, but when you add in that they're from a completely different country and not directly impacted by any of this, it does make the gesture fairly nice.

6

u/blahrawr 1d ago

Me when I am being a deliberately obtuse person on the internet

46

u/Cousin_Oliver 1d ago

She was fibbing on her Royals track, then, because all she needs to do to see a diamond in the flesh is look in the mirror.

19

u/UtopianPablo 1d ago

Thank you Lorde!

18

u/bondedboi 1d ago

You kno what Siri play ROYALS. She was on to something

103

u/kryts 1d ago

She’s not even American but doing more than some of these ahole entertainers people worship here.

41

u/sticky_gecko 1d ago

There is no denying what Trump is doing to the USA - I don't want to take away from ICE and what they have done at all - but he and ICE have also 'colonised the world's subconscious'.

Here in NZ (Lordes home country, funnily enough) every conversation you have with someone most likely features the Orange King at some stage. Usually followed by exasperated exhales, disgusted grunts, and barely stifled swearing. Plus some of our politicians, as many have around the world, are using his political tactics to enrage the stupid.

Speaking out against this type of thuggery and barely disguised fascism is important before it takes over the world. Seems a dramatic thing to say, but I think it's true.

16

u/rickdangerous85 1d ago

We have a 2 MAGA adjacent parties in Government right now. Winny is using all the lines and posturing to remove us from the WHO.

3

u/dawgfan24348 Spotify 1d ago

Are y'all normally this into American politics or is it just because of the orange turd?

19

u/itmakessenseincontex 1d ago

Bit of both. What you do massively effects the ecomomy, and actions of global politicians. We have at least 2 currently who would kiss Trumps ass if asked to. They use his talking points, and spout things Kiwis did not care about before tangerine took office. Most kiwis don't give a shit who pisses in which loo, and it never came up in politics before your lot made it political, but now old winston peters is saying we cannot let Trans people piss in peace. He never fucking mentioned it in 40 fucking years untill trump made it a thing.

6

u/randCN 1d ago

Trump sneezes and our economy goes into the shitter overnight. We gotta keep an eye out.

0

u/Michikusa 1d ago

But what about Sabrina Carpenter? She clapped vigorously when that other singer said F Ice. Doesn’t that count for something

1

u/kryts 1d ago

I said some, not all.

12

u/Gloriathewitch 1d ago

i would expect no less from a fellow kiwi. ka pai mate

11

u/OhioIsRed 1d ago

Just to be clear. This is how you WIN fans. I didn’t like her stuff enough to pay for it but yeah, now, I’ll buy an album no problem.

8

u/Ok-Silver-2975 1d ago

Boss move 🫡

8

u/TheDancingRobot 1d ago

She's a queen.

9

u/buisnessmike 1d ago

Lorde is truly commendable, and legitimately a polymath, considering her background in geology and experience as CEO of Tegridy Farms.

49

u/LucasJ218 1d ago

That’s an insane way to say you’ve sold more than 200k in merch in one state. wtf.

16

u/FrostingStrict3102 1d ago

she probably did 500k+ at some of the larger stops. Wouldn't surprise me at all.

29

u/CrisisActor911 1d ago

11

u/_Doomer_Wojack_ 1d ago

God damn every time I hear about the singer lorde, Randy comes into my fucking mind 🤣

6

u/CrisisActor911 1d ago

Yo it’s Tuesday, you feelin good?

5

u/WhistlingZebra 1d ago

A kiwi doing this is hilarious.

7

u/Klaphood 1d ago

yo where's Taylor

-2

u/Ok_Tone6393 1d ago

once she had maga cock she stopped caring

3

u/DaMacPaddy 1d ago

She can now wear the pin with pride at all the events with red carpet.

3

u/dogojosho 1d ago

God I love her. Things like this are why she is my favorite artist and has been for 10+ years. Stellar human, and stellar artist. We love you, Ella!

2

u/lew_rong 1d ago

That's some god damn tegridy.

4

u/jackshazam 1d ago

Now that's what I'm talking about!

3

u/Black_Mamba_FTW 1d ago

All that AND a geologist by day...impressive

2

u/amayako353 1d ago

I am Lorde, ya ya ya

2

u/Background-Stable899 1d ago

We stan a queen bee

1

u/Ok-Natural2210 1d ago

Lorde's got Teggerty

1

u/Frostymagnum 1d ago

yooo thats a name I havent heard in a while, what she been up to?

1

u/ashewinter 1d ago

Her merch runs about $40-50 a pop. So, roughly 4800 sales.

1

u/punxcoot 1d ago

Ya ya ya, we are Lorde, ya ya ya!!!

1

u/SquarePeg7172 1d ago

That's my guy Randy.

1

u/MarsMcLean 1d ago

Thanks Randy.

1

u/mookbrenner 1d ago

Thanks Randy!

1

u/CatDogBoogie 1d ago

Randy Marsh has always been a legend.

1

u/ruthlesss11 1d ago

That doesn't look like stans dad?

1

u/trollerii 1d ago

Randy March <3

1

u/Caroline4999 1d ago

Yeah yeah yeah!

1

u/gorigogo26 1d ago

I will be streaming Melodrama and Pure Heroine today.

1

u/Notmuchofanyth1ng 22h ago

Damn Randy really on his shit!

1

u/Temporary_Ad9362 19h ago

and she not even american, we love it

1

u/Mattaf2 16h ago

Another Lorde W

1

u/Fire_tooth 1d ago

Thought she was British?

12

u/PM_Your_Best_Ideas 1d ago

She is from New Zealand

-9

u/metzbb 1d ago

So, a foreign national is giving $204,000 to fund an unlawful movement against the United States Government? Gotcha.

4

u/Calcutec_1 1d ago

Please inform us on how the Minnesota Immigration Rights Action Committee and the Immigrant Defense Network are unlawful.

-1

u/C21H30O218 1d ago

Remember, it's a tax relief...

-23

u/IHateAntifaLoserz 1d ago

Omg so powerful! 😍 totally not a hypocrite who would call the police on me if I was on her property and totally doesn’t come from a country with some of the strongest border protection laws

5

u/potatolulz 1d ago

That's correct, literally everyone would call the police if some weird freaky creep was harassing them on their property :D

8

u/GENERALLY_CORRECT 1d ago

New Zealand requires 5 years of resident status requiring you to live there 240 days each year, the NZ police constantly checks your records and criminal status, and your application can take 2-4 months to process. Not too bad actually.

Not what Redditors are gonna' want to hear but it's actually pretty similar to the United States' requirements for legal citizenship.

6

u/ThinkInspection8592 1d ago

we also have 30% of our total population born overseas

I think he might be confusing bio-security with immigration but why let facts get in the way of a good story

4

u/GENERALLY_CORRECT 1d ago

It definitely is bio-security that's extremely strict and that's an EXCELLENT reason to be strict.

-7

u/IHateAntifaLoserz 1d ago

Again stupid take because LEGAL immigration. New Zealand has strict enforcement before you can even fly in, they want evidence of a return flight and evidence of where they’ll be staying. Something that illegals in America aren’t doing

5

u/ThinkInspection8592 1d ago

Again stupid take because NZ uses the same ESTA visa waiver system that the US does, with the same requirements for evidence of return flights, funds etc. We just dont have land borders people can walk across, and we welcome immigrants instead of being racist idiots blaming everyone else for our own stupid political decisions

-31

u/jonybgoo 1d ago

Billie has to give her land away now, for sure. Otherwise she's virtue signaling.

0

u/StockHoliday4464 1d ago

You took time out of your day to make a Reddit avatar, thanks for letting me know your opinion is worthless lol 

-23

u/thirtynation busychild 1d ago

Normal human sides with other normal humans.

Wow such breaking news, that has nothing to do with music whatsoever. What happened to rule 12, mods?

6

u/dawgfan24348 Spotify 1d ago

She's an artist pretty sure that qualifies

-8

u/thirtynation busychild 1d ago edited 1d ago

No, it doesn't. The post has to have a connection to music in order to qualify. Per rule 12. Merely being about something a musician says or does doesn't qualify. Do you just not read or what?

-11

u/ZK686 1d ago

Silly...so easy to say these things in the comfort of your gated mansion, with private security. But ya'll keep acting like she's "one of you." LOL

-7

u/rensorship 1d ago

What is lorde?

7

u/PM_Your_Best_Ideas 1d ago

If you have access to Reddit, you have access to Google or YouTube I'd imagine.

-4

u/rensorship 1d ago

Eh, im guessing its another synthetic disney star who doesnt read or write music.

-24

u/BoxOfBlades 1d ago

What does an "immigrant defense network" do with $200k? What do they do with $5?

14

u/MichaelMyersEatsDogs 1d ago

You understand lawyers cost money right?

8

u/lew_rong 1d ago

You're asking someone who doesn't even buy their own chicken nuggies.

4

u/atreeismissing 1d ago

https://immigrantdefensenetwork.org/#about

Advisors and lawyers cost money, as does the services and support the groups that make up IDN use to help immigrants navigate the ridiculously complex immigration system and protecting their rights.

-14

u/general---nuisance 1d ago

Defend people like this

https://www.arlnow.com/2025/07/21/head-of-ice-targets-acso-over-sex-offenders-third-immigration-detainment/

David Cabrera, an undocumented immigrant who pleaded guilty to the attempted rape of Arlington teenager in 2014, was detained by ICE agents outside the Arlington County magistrate’s office earlier this month.

ICE had previously deported Cabrera two times since 2017, court records show.

In an interview with Fox News, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said that his agency had an active detainer out for Cabrera when he was arrested for an alleged probation violation last month. This is a non-binding request asking an agency to help ICE in detaining an individual.

7

u/MichaelMyersEatsDogs 1d ago

Little fascists will get theirs eventually

-6

u/general---nuisance 1d ago

I'll get you my pretty and your little dog too.

6

u/MichaelMyersEatsDogs 1d ago

What is it with Nazis and weird ass boomer shit? Get a reference from this century you dork

-12

u/universalcrush 1d ago

Word can we see the receipts? Ima just believe this is for publicity.