King Gizzard withdraws music from Spotify and offers entire catalogue for free on Bandcamp

Australian psychedelic rock band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard has removed its entire catalogue from Spotify, protesting CEO Daniel Ek’s €600 million investment in AI military technology firm Helsing. Frontman Stu Mackenzie explained that the decision was driven by ethical considerations rather than an attempt to start a movement. Inspired by fellow Melbourne musician Leah Senior, Mackenzie emphasized the importance of making decisions aligned with personal values. While Spotify provides accessibility for fans through its free and premium tiers, the band has addressed this by making all 27 studio albums, 64 live albums, three EPs, and five bootleg compilations available on Bandcamp with a ‘name your price’ model, continuing their history of experimenting with unconventional music distribution. Mackenzie downplayed the potential financial impact, noting that income from Spotify was minimal compared to touring, merchandise, and vinyl sales. He criticized the commercialization of artists as brands, stating that his primary focus is creating music with friends, putting artistic integrity above business pressures. King Gizzard continues to explore diverse performances, including a free rave in Melbourne’s Federation Square and orchestral shows with a 29-piece orchestra, reflecting their commitment to experimental and varied musical expressions.