'I Can Buy A Hershey’s Bar': Noah Kahan Slams Spotify Royalties

American folk-pop artist Noah Kahan has slammed Spotify’s royalty payments for musicians, claiming that the amount he makes from a massive number of streams amounts to being able to purchase a chocolate bar.

Catching up with Nova 100’s Ben, Liam & Belle on his current Australian tour yesterday, Ben brought up the streaming giant – “A billion streams on Spotify. YouTube gives you a plaque for the views. What does Spotify give you?”

Kahan, quick to answer, said, “I think they give me like 50 cents.” Liam cheekily added, “There you go! Well, two billion next, Noah – keep going!” The You’re Gonna Go Far singer responded, “I can buy myself a Hershey’s chocolate bar!”

While chatting with Nova, Kahan reflected on his recent “huge” show – one of two – at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl and revealed that his band couldn’t make it due to dangerous weather conditions flying out of Nashville, so he was on stage alone.

“It was huge. And it was the first time I’ve played for that many people by myself,” he said. “My band didn't make it to Australia… There was a lot of weather coming out in Nashville, so they couldn't make it. It was just me and my guitar player, and it was incredible.

“It seemed like they enjoyed it. They were incredibly sweet to me. They sang all the words, and I was really nervous. I get nervous a lot, but I don't get that nervous usually. Just having them be so receptive and kind was really special. I'll remember it forever.”

You can listen to the interview here.

Kahan isn’t the only one comparing Spotify royalty payments to being able to afford food. Last month, in his Spotify Wrapped message, “Weird Al” Yankovic shared a video message for Spotify and his fans: “It’s my understanding that I had over 80 million streams on Spotify this year,” Yankovic said.

“So, if I’m doing the math right, that means I earned $12. Enough to get myself a nice sandwich at a restaurant. So, from the bottom of my heart, thanks for your support and thanks for the sandwich.”

Noah Kahan just performed two shows at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl. His We’ll All Be Here Forever tour continues tonight in Brisbane before heading to Sydney and Perth. All shows are sold out.

In other Noah Kahan news, the singer recently reworked his track Homesick from his 2022 album Stick Season with British rocker Sam Fender. You can listen to that below.

NOAH KAHAN

WE’LL ALL BE HERE FOREVER TOUR 2024 AUSTRALIAN DATES

RIVERSTAGE, BRISBANE (Meanjin) - SATURDAY, 20 JANUARY – SOLD OUT

HORDERN PAVILION, SYDNEY (Eora) - TUESDAY, 23 JANUARY – SOLD OUT

HORDERN PAVILION, SYDNEY (Eora) - WEDNESDAY, 24 JANUARY – SOLD OUT

RED HILL, PERTH (Boorloo) - SATURDAY, 27 JANUARY – SOLD OUT