King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard remove their catalog from Spotify
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard recently made headlines when they decided to pull their entire catalog from Spotify. The band announced this move on Instagram, citing the fact that Spotify CEO Daniel Ek invests in military drone technology as their reason for the decision. This was a bold move just days before they were set to embark on a massive North American tour in support of their 27th album, Phantom Island. In their Instagram post, the band called on fans to join them on a different platform and put pressure on tech companies to do better.
This decision by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard was not an isolated incident. Other artists, such as Deerhoof and Xiu Xiu, have also taken similar actions in response to news that Ek is involved in developing software for military weapons and equipment through his company, Helsing. Gizzard also made headlines by releasing a rarities collection titled Demos Vol. 7 + 8 on all digital streaming platforms except Spotify.
In their announcement, the band made it clear that they were taking a stand against Spotify specifically. Despite having more than 1.5 million monthly listeners on the platform, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard decided to remove all their music from Spotify, except for a 2022 EP they did with Tropical Fuck Storm titled Satanic Slumber Party. Gizzard went on to release a statement saying, “New demos collection out everywhere except Spotify (f*** Spotify). You can bootleg it if you wanna.”
The timing of this decision is particularly interesting, as King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard were about to kick off a unique combination orchestra/rock tour in Philadelphia. This tour would also include their first destination festival, Field of Vision, in Buena Vista, Colorado. The band shared that they would be performing Phantom Island in its entirety during these shows, along with some tracks from their back catalog. The group expressed excitement about this prospect, noting that it would be a celebratory experience for them.
One band member, Stu Mackenzie, shared insights on their upcoming tour in an interview with SPIN. He mentioned that there would be different arrangements for the live performances compared to their recorded tracks. Mackenzie also mentioned the challenge of incorporating a symphony from Philadelphia into their show, with only one rehearsal scheduled before the first concert. Despite the potential challenges, the band expressed confidence in the process and emphasized the importance of trusting the journey.
In conclusion, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s decision to remove their music from Spotify sent shockwaves through the music industry. By taking a stand against the platform, the band made a powerful statement about their principles and values, urging fans to consider the ethical implications of supporting certain tech companies. This bold move not only impacted their online presence but also set the tone for their upcoming tour, where they promised fans a unique and celebratory experience.