Putting the sell-out into perspective

[bennyhana22]

With reference to various discussions in other threads about the great news that EOTR has sold out in record time, and the controversy over the potential impact of the increased capacity, I just thought I'd post this link to an interesting take on the difficulties that previously very robust festivals are having.

Anyone remember the scramble for tickets for Latitude 2010 after their sell-out last year...?

http://drownedinsound.com/community/boards/music/4296258?community-latest

Ben

Edited July 10, 2011 by bennyhana22

[wackojackohighcliffe]

Never thought Reading and Leeds would have troubles...

Still seeing lots of annoying talk about how teenagers are all dicks and only there to get hammered/don't care about the music.

[perfectpassion]

Thanks for putting that up Ben.

[MrSimonW]

I think EOTR did a couple of things well as regards selling tickets, that Latitude (to name one) didn't. Firstly they got their early bird tickets on sale immediately, capitalising on last year's post fest buzz (they sold out in 9 hours then brought out a 2nd wave of early birds). Secondly they announced their line-up early. Where Latitude and Leeds/Reading fell down massively in my opinion was by being one of the last to announce headliners and get tickets on sale. Allowing your competitors first crack at the market is a bad move in any line of business.

[Yokel Again]

re: Latitude. To me, this year looks to have got back to the original festival ethos - ie a line up that is abit more alternative (on the whole) and a concentration on the arts. Last year was over-ran with teenagers wanting to see Florence. 2007 & 2008 were great for seeing 'different' acts as headliners (The Good the bad the queen, Sigor Ros etc)

Of course the difference being that from the 1st few years the capacity is now alot larger. Maybe not THAT many people want to see the National?

A shame really, as I really really enjoyed 07 and 08.

Not as good as EOTR though.

[Sipperana]

Hmm. Latitude has (for me anyway) a pretty good line-up this year - probably better than last year, and it is in theory a great festival, but a combination of over-officious security, overpopulation and dick-headed behaviour (petty theft, gang rape, setting fire to tents) put me off going again. If I want that kind of festival I'd go to V.

There are certainly more and more festivals cropping up all the time and I'm sure there is a market saturation effect combined with most people cutting back on this and that. With Reading/Leeds it's probably more a case of mum and dad not being able to sub the sixth formers to go.

Where EOTR seems to win is in showing loyalty to those who come regulary, building an atmosphere that makes people want to come back, and in particular listening to people's quibbles and acting on them. It is, of course (no shit Sherlock) relatively small and a bit cheaper than some of the others, so is probably being considered as an alternative to some of the bigger festivals by more people. So no surprise it sells out.

[SweepingTheNation]

Latitude being 1000 down on 25000 capacity isn't that much of a disaster, even if they've sold out by this stage for the last couple of years. Their big problem is unappetising headliners (The National headlined their second stage last year and Paolo Nutini's not that much of a festival draw) and the belief that people come as much for the arts side. I don't think it's really what MrSimonW suggested, both of those festivals have worked to that timescale for years.

[Thowky]

I'm actually surprised just how much a bad headliner effects ticket sales. There's music on all day so surely the overall lineup should be what makes you buy a ticket not the person who plays the last hour and a half? Latitude's headliner didn't appeal to me at all (other than The National) but they had a lot of singers and bands I did want to see and they did actually end up selling out of tickets in the end.

[MrSimonW]

Predictably enough I suppose, Mr Benn disagrees with the comments from Mr Eavis

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-14188873

[andy55]

Latitude felt much less crowded this year. About right in my opinion. Had a fantastic time and I think it finally, finally, finally put me off Glastonbury for good (probably).

But hang on...EOTR has increased capacity???? Nooooooo. What is it now? It felt a bit busy at times last year. I remember the organisers saying a couple of years ago that they weren't going to increase (even though it seemed like they actually did last year). So why the change of heart?

[Sipperana]

There are only occasional moments when EOTR feels "busy" in the sense that other festivals are "busy". Usually when certain headliners pull big crowds at the Garden Stage. In the interests of crowd control, though, it would surprise me if, as some have hinted, Newsome is on unopposed. I can't see this happening somehow.

[geofelgie]

it's 8500 this year but it was 7000 anyway in 2010 and 2009

[perfectpassion]

There are only occasional moments when EOTR feels "busy" in the sense that other festivals are "busy". Usually when certain headliners pull big crowds at the Garden Stage. In the interests of crowd control, though, it would surprise me if, as some have hinted, Newsome is on unopposed. I can't see this happening somehow.

Edited July 22, 2011 by perfectpassion