Band tees are a staple of every closet. Whether hidden in storage or passed down from generation to generation, they’re the go-to for music fans looking to wear their influences on their sleeve. 

Classic band tees and vintage thrift shopping has seen renewed interest from young audiences in recent years. There has been a 34% surge in posts on TikTok using the #Thrift hashtag over the last 12 months in the USA, compared to the previous year. 

Following this demand, rare and vintage band t-shirts have become highly sought-after fashion pieces. Music lovers up and down the country may unknowingly be sitting on a goldmine, with select classic band tees now selling for thousands of dollars.

With this in mind, the team here at Spreadshirt have taken it upon ourselves to analyze over 84,000 sales of band and music artist t-shirts. From this, we find which band tees sitting at the bottom of closets across the USA could potentially attract big bucks! 

Which band tees top the 2024 value charts?

#1 Grateful Dead

Panther tour tee / 1970s/80s / Sells for up to $2,750.00

T-shirts from the iconic rock band The Grateful Dead are a staple in closets across the US. Replica t-shirts can be found in shopping malls to Walmarts, usually emblazoned with their iconic ‘Stealie’ logo.

These modern reproductions can often be found in sale racks for budget-friendly prices, but none will bear the price tag of the original merchandise.

This tour t-shirt and piece of music history will set you back $2,750.00 – so be careful not to stain it.

#2 Nirvana

In Utero long sleeve tour tee / 1990s / Sells for up to $2,000.00

Grunge fans in possession of this tee could be in ‘Nirvana’, with the seminal Seattle band featuring on the second most expensive band t-shirt sold this year – at a price of $2,000.00.

The angsty trio have accumulated a die-hard fan base far beyond their tenure in the 90s. Celebrities spotted wearing Nirvana tees include Justin Bieber, Kanye West and Travis Scott, having become a household name since the death of lead singer Kurt Cobain.

#3 Björk

Post tour tee / 1995 / Sells for up to $1,895.50

Eclectic Icelandic singer Björk has cultivated a cultish following, many of whom are willing to pay above and beyond for a piece of authentic Björk merch.

Fans owning a t-shirt featuring Björk’s second studio album, Post, could be in for a small fortune – the original 1995 release has sold for massive $1,895.50.

Björk also takes the fourth spot, with a tee promoting her first album Björk fetching $1,400.00.


Looking for cool gifts? Check Rott515 store!