Arca and Evian Christ Debate on Increase of Soft Drink Branding in Music

Earlier, Venezualan producer Arca took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the heavy branding certain soft drink companies — like Red Bull, Monster, Sprite and others — use on their shows, videos and other music-related material, criticizing them for putting “their logo all over everyone’s blood sweat and tears.” English primary-school-teacher-in-training-turned-producer Evian Christ responded to his sentiment, saying, “not all artists are independently wealthy and need the money,” but he also added that companies should improve their policies. This led to a full-fledged public conversation/debate on the issue of whether or not placing the brands’ logo on the artist’s creative space is ethical. Read it below and let us know your thoughts on this.

why are we okay letting an energy drink put their logo all over everyone's blood sweat and tears

— Arca (@arca1000000) June 16, 2015

@evian_christ The gigs are great! but should we just ACCEPT logos as halos above every performer's head? is that the only way? REALLY?

— Arca (@arca1000000) June 16, 2015

@arca1000000 e.g i just played a cool RBMA show in new york but venue rental cost more than the entire lineup. meanwhile 285 kent disappears

— evian christ 2015 (@evian_christ) June 16, 2015

@arca1000000 so RBMA end up investing money into owners of prime real estate rather than sustainable venues which can be used more than once

— evian christ 2015 (@evian_christ) June 16, 2015

it's not a matter of principle – it's a matter of degree. I'm asking: is that the only way. vomiting your guts on stage under a logo.

— Arca (@arca1000000) June 16, 2015

I said it because I believe musicians are worth more, not because I'm above hustling

— Arca (@arca1000000) June 16, 2015

play any show, the music is all that matters: but when they screw on that huge ass backlit logo, just ask urself who's benefitting from who

— Arca (@arca1000000) June 16, 2015

I'm not against sponsorships & partnerships: that's just survival. but it should be ok to ask questions about how aggro branding will get.

— Arca (@arca1000000) June 16, 2015

@arca1000000 same. ultimately it's up to us to direct them about how they can help us, and i think we can be more pro-active in doing that

— evian christ 2015 (@evian_christ) June 16, 2015

@evian_christ kiss u on the forehead josh

— Arca (@arca1000000) June 16, 2015