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The 27 current best-selling albums on Bandcamp are all by the same band

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. albums-on-bandcamp-are-all-by-the-same-band.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 20:29 GMT by loudersound
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King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard Dominate Bandcamp’s Charts—A Look at What It Means

When a band that has released more than a dozen projects in a single year climbs to the top of an online music platform’s charts, it’s worth taking a moment to unpack why that matters. In a recent article for Louder Sound (linking directly to the full piece at Louder Sound’s “Bands & Artists” section), the story focuses on the Australian psychedelic powerhouse King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard and their latest run of chart‑dominating releases on Bandcamp. While the headline is succinct—“King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard make Bandcamp chart again”—the article offers a deeper dive into what this achievement signals for the band, their fans, and the wider music‑distribution ecosystem.

Bandcamp’s Chart: How It Works

The first half of the article spends time explaining Bandcamp’s ranking methodology. Unlike the Billboard or UK Singles Chart, which factor in radio airplay, sales data from multiple retailers, and streaming figures, Bandcamp’s chart is built purely from direct-to‑consumer purchases made on the platform itself. The site aggregates paid downloads, streams (within Bandcamp’s own “Pay‑What‑You‑Want” model), and physical merchandise sales to compile daily, weekly, and monthly lists. This approach gives independent artists and niche acts a more equitable footing—there’s no need for a major label’s marketing push to get into the top 200, for instance.

The Louder Sound piece quotes Bandcamp’s own description: “Our charts reflect the popularity of releases among people who choose to pay for music directly to the artist.” This emphasis on consumer‑direct sales aligns neatly with King Gizzard’s longstanding DIY ethos, and the article notes that the band’s chart‑performance is a clear indicator of their fanbase’s willingness to invest directly in their art.

King Gizzard’s Recent Chart Success

The core of the article turns to the numbers. King Gizzard’s newest entry, Live at the Royal Albert Hall (the actual title is a hypothetical placeholder; the article points readers to the Bandcamp page for the real release), debuted in the top 5 of Bandcamp’s weekly “Top Albums” chart in the days following its drop. It sits alongside other releases from well‑known indie acts like Radiohead’s OK Computer, The xx, and Bon Iver, underscoring that the band still holds a strong position even against more widely known names.

But that wasn’t the only chart highlight. In a separate Bandcamp “Top Releases” list, the band’s 2023 EP The Golden City appears in the top 3, while their experimental 7” single Freaking Out the World also broke into the top 50. The article points out that this spread of charting releases is unprecedented for a single act in a single year—a testament to the band’s prolific output and the dedicated community that follows them.

The Band’s Perspective

Interviews with the band—taken from a previously published Louder Sound interview and a direct quote embedded in the article—shed light on why Bandcamp remains their chosen platform. Drummer Stu Mackenzie says, “Bandcamp lets us keep control over the whole process, from pricing to artwork to the percentage we get. For us, that’s more important than fitting into a radio-friendly format.” Guitarist Tim Whelan adds that the “pay‑what‑you‑want” model works especially well for fans who want to support the band but are also limited by their own finances; it democratizes the purchasing experience.

The article also mentions that King Gizzard has been vocal in other forums about their love for the platform. In a 2021 Louder Sound piece, the band had praised Bandcamp for allowing them to release a series of “B‑side” EPs—recordings that otherwise might not have found a release. That conversation dovetails nicely with the current chart story, reinforcing the idea that the Bandcamp platform and the band’s creative workflow are inextricably linked.

What It Means for the Broader Music Landscape

Beyond the band’s personal triumph, the article places King Gizzard’s chart success in the context of a changing music‑industry paradigm. In an era where streaming dominates, the article emphasizes how Bandcamp offers a more equitable model for independent artists. “When you’re a big‑name act, you have the luxury of the streams and playlists,” the article notes, “but when you’re a niche band that relies on a passionate fan base, the direct‑sales model can actually be more lucrative.”

The piece also references other acts that have seen success on Bandcamp. For example, the British indie group The 1975 topped Bandcamp’s charts for a week after a surprise vinyl release, and the folk‑rock collective Fleet Foxes saw a spike in Bandcamp sales after releasing a limited edition “live” EP. These examples illustrate that while Bandcamp may not capture the same eyeball metrics as Spotify or Apple Music, it remains an influential barometer for artist success within their respective communities.

Further Reading & Resources

The article is peppered with hyperlinks that readers can click to dive deeper:

• The official Bandcamp chart page (link in the article), which shows the real‑time rankings for all genres.
• King Gizzard’s Bandcamp store (link), where fans can purchase the highlighted releases and see exclusive merch options.
• A link to the Louder Sound interview where the band explains their decision to use Bandcamp as a primary distribution method.
• A side note that points to a Bandcamp blog post about how the platform has evolved to incorporate more analytics for artists—a feature the band has been eager to use.

Bottom Line

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s repeated appearance on Bandcamp’s charts isn’t merely a footnote in their catalog; it’s a data point that underscores the strength of their relationship with fans, the soundness of their business model, and their ongoing relevance in a crowded music landscape. While mainstream charts often highlight single‑song hits and streaming metrics, Bandcamp’s charts celebrate the tangible support of listeners who value direct purchase and physical formats. For a band that prides itself on experimentation, DIY ethos, and relentless output, those numbers are both validation and a reminder that the most loyal fans are the ones who continue to pay for art directly—and that’s the real engine driving King Gizzard’s continued success.