Inside Britain's music festival crisis: Why are small festivals dying out?

For many people, summer and music festivals go hand in hand but rising costs and other factors have forced dozens of cancellations and it's expected there'll be more to come.

According to the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), 45 events have been either cancelled or postponed, compared with a total of 36 in 2023. The AIF predicts the figure could more than double by the end of the year.

#skynews #festivals #music #uk

[bboom]

Ticketmaster and Live Nation are destroying every aspect of the UK live music scene. They're running a protection racket and musicians and fans are paying the price.

[johndean]

Its Called POVERTY and People cannot afford it.

[cookslooking]

There's a variety of reasons for the decline. I heard the Devon and Cornwall '70's music festival has been cancelled because they couldn't decide whether Cream or The Jam should go on first.

[PawsThought]

Too many rainbows and not enough quality music, that's why

[The_washing_board]

Used to go to festivals back in the 90's early 2000's, to be fair we normally jumped over. Looked at bearded theory this year and was astounded by the prices. Went to Ibiza instead (glad we did as it pissed it down)

[Joe-ogbr]

Why should they get a cut in VAT? They are a niche and not an essential.

[TomNook.]

Because Barclays, a major sponsor in music festivals, have pulled out because the same groups are targeting them.

[gomperhooblet]

Nobody can afford to get mugged off all weekend anymore

[radman]

Just make exclusivity contracts illegal. Standard industry practice doesn't wash.

[LuzDoSol-yrbv]

It's a lot of cancellations. I hope that gets sorted.

[davefish]

I use to go to lots of small motorcycles weekends shows but they slowly died off because the land
they were held on was either taken over by corporate companies or sold off .
Don’t know if that’s the case with music venues but it wouldn’t surprise me

[flemlion]

A specific British problem, no such decline in Belgium. But I can imagine artists and support staff don't want to do all the brexit paperwork for a single performance.

[christophermichaelclarence]

Every year is the same. Stopped doing that at the end 20's.
It's just for having good time and eat

[SamPockerOfficial]

What counterculture? These festivals were all mainstream cash grabs by a variety of interests.

[jamesparker]

No fun for normal citizens, comrades.

[TJTOPBOY]

That Freddie Fellows is full of crap. The first SGP which came back was full of stage sponsors.

[GrandpaVince]

This is a disgrace old vincey really enjoys my beloved over 40s festivals as I meet some fellow grandpas and the odd stray grandma 😉

[LordBikealot]

Can anyone name a sector in the UK that isnt BROKEN!?!?!?

[drfloxy]

Feeling your consent for things slipping away? Its by design.

[LOWbeats]

I'll only go to smaller, CANNA friendly festivals. The security is ridiculous, Pay for our over priced alcohol only