Reading & Leeds

[twenty_foot_chickens]

Hi, I was hoping that a few of you might be willing to answer a few questions for me to help with with a university essay.

Firstly, how do you feel that in the past 10 years, the price of the festival has risen by almost £100?

Do you feel that a price hike each year is justifiable, and if so, or not, for what reasons?

This year the organisers claimed that £20 price increase from last year was due to the economic climate, enabling them to secure bigger acts from America and Europe, do you think that they have done this?

Why do you think that festivals have become increasing popular over recent years? In 2002 you were able to buy a full weekend ticket only a couple of months before the festival, but now they are snapped up within an hour to, what would you attribut this too?

And finally, If you a regular Reading & Leeds festival attendant, what keeps drawing you back despite the cost going up each year?

Thanks in advance

[Lithium05]

- The price is pushing it's luck. This year is pretty much the maximum I'm willing to pay unless the acts are unmissable.

- Considering the current economical climate the price hike is sort of walking a fine line between justified and unfair. I can see it making sense business wise, as long as the festival selling out instantly each year they can put the price up and people will pay.

-In a word. No. That's roughly a £1.6million increase in takings per festival than last year, and yet the headliners are weaker and alot of the lower card bands appeared last year. Faith No More may well be taking a large chunk of that money, but I think for that amount The Offspring or a band of similar status should be appearing below them on the second stage. I dread to think how much they paid for the Arctic Monkeys.

- I think it's a combination of the Brit-pop ressurgance and celebrity culture. There were a lot of people at the festival last year purely for bands like The Ting Tings etc. and to just say they were there. I don't know if it was Kate Moss being spotted at Glasto, Pete Doherty being a tabloid sensation or a combination of the two, but the type of people at reading now are different to the type of people who went when I started going.

- Before this year it's been the fact that there have always had some of my favourite bands. Off the top of my head, bands that have appeared that have at least one album that I love all the way through:

2003 - Blink 182, SOAD, Metallica, Less Than Jake

2004 - Green Day, Offspring, Reel Big Fish

2005 - Iron Maiden, Foo Fighters, NOFX

2006 - Reel Big Fish, Pearl Jam, Flogging Molly

2007 - Jimmy Eat World, RHCP, Smashing Pumpkins

2008 - RATM, Goldfinger, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, Metallica, Tenacious D

Keep in mind that I've limited this to just bands I really like to the point that I would see them at there own shows. This year there are maybe 2 bands I quite like (AFI and Streetlight Manifesto) and a few that I'l watch but I'm not a massive fan of (Lostprophets, Deftones, Placebo, Prodigy) I know this comes accross as a selfish view point, but when bands like The Offspring, Rancid, NoFX etc were being banded about as likely, and none of them play, I feel I have the right to feel hard done by, as historicly there's been a lot more for me to look forward to.

Reel Big Fish headlining the FR stage on the Saturday would make a lot of the badness go away though!

[joshwarrr]

Reel Big Fish headlining the FR stage on the Saturday would make a lot of the badness go away though!

[robsadler]

Hi, I was hoping that a few of you might be willing to answer a few questions for me to help with with a university essay.

Firstly, how do you feel that in the past 10 years, the price of the festival has risen by almost £100?

Do you feel that a price hike each year is justifiable, and if so, or not, for what reasons?

This year the organisers claimed that £20 price increase from last year was due to the economic climate, enabling them to secure bigger acts from America and Europe, do you think that they have done this?

Why do you think that festivals have become increasing popular over recent years? In 2002 you were able to buy a full weekend ticket only a couple of months before the festival, but now they are snapped up within an hour to, what would you attribut this too?

And finally, If you a regular Reading & Leeds festival attendant, what keeps drawing you back despite the cost going up each year?

Thanks in advance

[wilko8]

Hi, I was hoping that a few of you might be willing to answer a few questions for me to help with with a university essay.

Firstly, how do you feel that in the past 10 years, the price of the festival has risen by almost £100?

Do you feel that a price hike each year is justifiable, and if so, or not, for what reasons?

This year the organisers claimed that £20 price increase from last year was due to the economic climate, enabling them to secure bigger acts from America and Europe, do you think that they have done this?

Why do you think that festivals have become increasing popular over recent years? In 2002 you were able to buy a full weekend ticket only a couple of months before the festival, but now they are snapped up within an hour to, what would you attribut this too?

And finally, If you a regular Reading & Leeds festival attendant, what keeps drawing you back despite the cost going up each year?

Thanks in advance

[funkymp]

Firstly, how do you feel that in the past 10 years, the price of the festival has risen by almost £100?

demands risen - so prices have, kind of understandable

Do you feel that a price hike each year is justifiable, and if so, or not, for what reasons?

would feel it's justified if they spent the money on getting bigger bands to play or more 'exclusives' (e.g bands that dont play over in the uk much) but they dont - so no. that and i feel festivals abroad are better value (hell SXSW might cost over a grand to do in all for a week with hotels / flights etc, but that week is better than every uk festival i've ever done over the years combined)

This year the organisers claimed that £20 price increase from last year was due to the economic climate, enabling them to secure bigger acts from America and Europe, do you think that they have done this?

definately not, just compare the lineup to european festivals which can be anything up to £100 cheaper for the same amount of days with better lineups......

Why do you think that festivals have become increasing popular over recent years? In 2002 you were able to buy a full weekend ticket only a couple of months before the festival, but now they are snapped up within an hour to, what would you attribut this too?

'indie' rock is more commercial again, that and live music has become more interesting to the local joe over the last few years

And finally, If you a regular Reading & Leeds festival attendant, what keeps drawing you back despite the cost going up each year?

not doing this year, but basically if theres more than 5 bands i really want to see (or someone like pearl jam) that i'm not going to get the chance to see otherwise.

[scottt]

Firstly, how do you feel that in the past 10 years, the price of the festival has risen by almost £100?

Well Its pretty annoying isnt it.

Do you feel that a price hike each year is justifiable, and if so, or not, for what reasons?

Cant help but think its to do with the fact that it still sold out. Simple economics, supply and demand. They want more money, why would they choose less money over more money?

This year the organisers claimed that £20 price increase from last year was due to the economic climate, enabling them to secure bigger acts from America and Europe, do you think that they have done this?

Dont think i really agree with that, looking at 07, we had Pumpkins, RHCP, Arcade Fire, KOL and NIN (5 out of the top 6). 08 = RATM, Metallica, The Killers, QOTSA, Tenacious D and slipknot would have probably got a large sum had they played. (5/6)

Compare that to this year we have KOL and i tihnk thats it. Dont see much change lower down the stages (except FNM) that will make a drastic difference.

Why do you think that festivals have become increasing popular over recent years? In 2002 you were able to buy a full weekend ticket only a couple of months before the festival, but now they are snapped up within an hour to, what would you attribut this too?

They are cool now. the live coverage on tv is a major part of summer tv, adverts mention them, you always get the "cool" people like "Grimmy" (who id like to kill) at them. Also, music in general is probably cooler than its ever been, as well as worse than its ever been

And finally, If you a regular Reading & Leeds festival attendant, what keeps drawing you back despite the cost going up each year?

Bands whom i dont think ill get a chance to see again. For me though that is alot, as with most of my friends being into different music to me, my chances to go see almost anyone even if they do tour are pretty limited, so this is one place where our tastes cross over.

[ar1]

Firstly, how do you feel that in the past 10 years, the price of the festival has risen by almost £100?

Not that impressed to be honest but what can you do - I bought my first Reading ticket for £59 (it was 1994 thougH!)

Do you feel that a price hike each year is justifiable, and if so, or not, for what reasons?

If we keep paying it then, unfortunately yes.

This year the organisers claimed that £20 price increase from last year was due to the economic climate, enabling them to secure bigger acts from America and Europe, do you think that they have done this?

Wasn't the claim that they had to do due to the weakness of the £ which is a fact - but no the lineup isn't stronger than usual

Why do you think that festivals have become increasing popular over recent years? In 2002 you were able to buy a full weekend ticket only a couple of months before the festival, but now they are snapped up within an hour to, what would you attribut this too?

A reason that noone else has mentioned is that hardly any of the people who go to festivals pay for their music anymore so the music industry looks to get it's profit back by live shows and festivals are a key plank in that.

Another reason is the internet allowing touts to snap up the tickets more easily - Reading tickets used to be on sale in record shops for most of the summer allowing you to choose between the whole lot of them when all the lineups were published.

And finally, If you a regular Reading & Leeds festival attendant, what keeps drawing you back despite the cost going up each year?

[dakyras]

this essay is going to be rubbish.

[robsadler]

scottt.....you have to admit that radiohead are a huge feather in the cap and i don't imagine come cheap?

robx

[scottt]

scottt.....you have to admit that radiohead are a huge feather in the cap and i don't imagine come cheap?

robx

Edited May 13, 2009 by scottt

[robsadler]

ahhhh no

the question did include europe though and im sure the only reason for the increase isn't the weak pound (as it has gone up in previous years when the pound has been stronger) although yeah, you are right, the organisers have used it this year to justify the vast increase in price.

on a slightly seperate topic......it does seem that a lot of businesses have used this credit crunch to squeeze more money out of the man on the street.

hardly any companies still pass on the VAT savings on any more, it was a selling point for a few weeks but now they just pay less taxes to the govt. and we make no savings.

robx

[thomasowen]

Hi, I was hoping that a few of you might be willing to answer a few questions for me to help with with a university essay.

Firstly, how do you feel that in the past 10 years, the price of the festival has risen by almost £100?

[hearing_aid]

Firstly, how do you feel that in the past 10 years, the price of the festival has risen by almost £100?

It sucks. I can understand, prices always go up but I think it is too much.

Do you feel that a price hike each year is justifiable, and if so, or not, for what reasons?

From a business point of view it is justifiable. Festival Republic want to make as much profit as possible. It also proves that caring about the festival and people that go to it is secondary to the profit.

This year the organisers claimed that £20 price increase from last year was due to the economic climate, enabling them to secure bigger acts from America and Europe, do you think that they have done this?

I'm sure that is part of it, but i'm sure also it is too do with more money. Part of me think is they knew they wouldn't be selling many early entry tickets this year so they decided to make up the cost else where.

Why do you think that festivals have become increasing popular over recent years? In 2002 you were able to buy a full weekend ticket only a couple of months before the festival, but now they are snapped up within an hour to, what would you attribut this too?

Lots of reasons, festivals are better organised, cleaner etc. Also they are quite fashionable at the moment.

And finally, If you a regular Reading & Leeds festival attendant, what keeps drawing you back despite the cost going up each year?

I'm not going this year and seriously can;t see me going again, maybe just for a day. After being to so many other festivals I just feel Reading is quite a poor festival these days. It still has a certain atmosphere that is undeniable and I've had great times there but there are much better festivals about with better line ups etc and festivals that actually seem to care about the people going and not just about the profit.

Edited May 13, 2009 by hearing_aid

[twenty_foot_chickens]

this essay is going to be rubbish.

[scottt]

Can i ask what purpose this serves?

Or was you just wondering our opinions

[mandypants]

Firstly, how do you feel that in the past 10 years, the price of the festival has risen by almost £100?

It's inevitable, everything goes up in price, festivals are no different.

Do you feel that a price hike each year is justifiable, and if so, or not, for what reasons?

Probably a question for Melvin Benn, I just expect it to go up cos that's what it does.

This year the organisers claimed that £20 price increase from last year was due to the economic climate, enabling them to secure bigger acts from America and Europe, do you think that they have done this?

Hmmm, tricky one, we still haven't got the full lineup, and there will hopefully be some positive changes to the site and festival which will be paid for from the increase. After the mud of last year I would hope that they have planned ways to deal with it should it happen again.

Why do you think that festivals have become increasing popular over recent years? In 2002 you were able to buy a full weekend ticket only a couple of months before the festival, but now they are snapped up within an hour to, what would you attribut this too?

Festivals have become increasingly cool so more people want to go to them. More people wanting to go = tickets going much more quickly.

And finally, If you a regular Reading & Leeds festival attendant, what keeps drawing you back despite the cost going up each year?

I love it, this is my 5th year at Leeds and I've had a fantastic time every year!

[vikinggriff]

Firstly, how do you feel that in the past 10 years, the price of the festival has risen by almost £100?

Do you feel that a price hike each year is justifiable, and if so, or not, for what reasons?

I've only been going the last 5 years but while the price has increased from about £135 to £175 I paid this year? the price of a pint for example has stayed constant up to now, so while at home in 2004 i was paying £1.40 to £1.80 I was paying £3.00 at leeds now in pubs where i live a pint will be £2.50 to £3.00 and at leeds afaik its £3.10 (and you can get 10p back if you can be bothered).

so while i spend more initially i spend about the same while i'm there rather than them prices going up.

This year the organisers claimed that £20 price increase from last year was due to the economic climate, enabling them to secure bigger acts from America and Europe, do you think that they have done this?

Its a bit of a loaded question, because even the UK based bands will likely charge in $ or euros to keep prices constant.

Why do you think that festivals have become increasing popular over recent years? In 2002 you were able to buy a full weekend ticket only a couple of months before the festival, but now they are snapped up within an hour to, what would you attribut this too?

THe internet, more people have access to it and fans of bands now have more access to where there performing than ever before.

And finally, If you a regular Reading & Leeds festival attendant, what keeps drawing you back despite the cost going up each year?

I've enjoyed it each year and had a good exsperience each time, the year I can't say that will likely be my last.

[dakyras]

Yeah clever response that mate. Considering you don't have any clue as to what my essay is actually about, my course is, or what is expected.

[thomasowen]

I don't need to know any of that. All I need to know is that 'data' collected from a f**king internet forum is one of the shittest ways of doing any sort of qualitative research. If you can't work out why then you're a bigger idiot than I thought.

[robsadler]

I don't need to know any of that. All I need to know is that 'data' collected from a f**king internet forum is one of the shittest ways of doing any sort of qualitative research. If you can't work out why then you're a bigger idiot than I thought.

[scottt]

And id add chill the f**k out to that list too

[Vacant0]

Hi, I was hoping that a few of you might be willing to answer a few questions for me to help with with a university essay.

Firstly, how do you feel that in the past 10 years, the price of the festival has risen by almost £100?

Do you feel that a price hike each year is justifiable, and if so, or not, for what reasons?

This year the organisers claimed that £20 price increase from last year was due to the economic climate, enabling them to secure bigger acts from America and Europe, do you think that they have done this?

Why do you think that festivals have become increasing popular over recent years? In 2002 you were able to buy a full weekend ticket only a couple of months before the festival, but now they are snapped up within an hour to, what would you attribut this too?

And finally, If you a regular Reading & Leeds festival attendant, what keeps drawing you back despite the cost going up each year?

Thanks in advance :angry:

Edited May 17, 2009 by Vacant0

[twenty_foot_chickens]

I don't need to know any of that. All I need to know is that 'data' collected from a f**king internet forum is one of the shittest ways of doing any sort of qualitative research. If you can't work out why then you're a bigger idiot than I thought.