Smaller Festivals Disappearing

[worthyraver]

With the economy in the toilet and festivals seeming not to be as fashionable as they once were, is anybody worried about their favourite smaller festivals going to the wall. Truck went a few months ago and although I never went, nor will I be able to now, I know it was popular and had a loyal following.

Personally I went to Standon Calling last year for the first time and it was fantastic and until recently I thought it would be completely safe as it has a loyal following over a number of years, a fantastic line-up especially when you consider there is only 5,000 people on site, it even has a USP a swimming pool. However all that said I know they did not sell out this year, I would be gutted having just found this little "secret" gem if it disappeared.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Perhaps because there's no Glasto next year people will try out these smaller festivals. If they like them then it might turn into an annual event for some.

[5co77ie]

Personally I think we lost most of the small festivals we're going to lose this year. I expect that there will still be a few more going next year, as the lack of income to Public Sector workers disappears (who I'm pretty sure make up a decent proportion of festival goers). Students will also have less money in their pockets, however the affluent 'Festival tourists' will turn up at a few unexpected smaller festivals and boost their sales, but no one can predict where they'll turn up next year.

I do think the lack of Glastonbury will mean a few people trying out smaller events, and that will be a helpful year out. I also think next year's festival goers may well be more discerning wanting the most out of their festival buck. This means festivals which have a reputation already for offering much more entertainment than music in a field probably won't struggle quite so much. This could mean your more basic festivals may struggle.

On the plus side small local events may also find themselves better attended with fuel bills being so high.

I also suspect the coverage of TV at big events may see punters preferring to view them from their sofas rather than paying what are generally high prices for tickets. But I've always suspected that festivals that sell their TV rights have always had the potential to be hit by that effect, and that TV coverage is a two edged sword.

[worthyraver]

Perhaps because there's no Glasto next year people will try out these smaller festivals. If they like them then it might turn into an annual event for some.

[dingbat2]

When the music scene is a bit lean, as it seems to be at the moment, then all festivals need to up their game to get the punters in - they cant rely on the headliners any more to get people through the gates. All festivals need a unique selling point and need to continually develop to attract the paying punters in. Glasto always moves forward each year (The Park, Shangri La, Arcadia, etc) which is it continutes to sell out. I wonder how the other big festivals, which seem to rely purely on line up (V, Reading, etc.) will get on next year when is the music scene is as it is now, they have used up most of the headliners between them and there doesnt seem to be much new music around the corner. I suspect they will become even more 'poppy' (like V was this year) to suck in the younger crowd. A horrible thought!

[NeilVJ]

There are millions of small tiny music festivals. Have a look at https://sites.google.com/site/festivalyorkshire/home/music/music-listings for an example of how crazy it is. Over 40 music festivals in Yorkshire alone. Not all can keep going, there just aren't that many people interested

[5co77ie]

There are millions of small tiny music festivals. Have a look at https://sites.google.../music-listings for an example of how crazy it is. Over 40 music festivals in Yorkshire alone. Not all can keep going, there just aren't that many people interested

[NeilVJ]

or even this one:

http://www.efestival...ls.php?year=now

[Bisque]

I think we will be seeing some interesting line ups for next year for the medium to large sized fests as I think festival organisers will go down the commercial route to get tickets sold.

(Not all though eg Bestival).

[dingbat2]

Yes I can see some festivals going even further down the pop road, especially V, not that it didn't have already have a dreadful pop line up this year. More kiddy rap and manufactured/reality bands. Makes me shudder just thinking of it

[Greenish]

i don't worry. but i think most of the little festivals i like have a good children's area - which maybe means that people who go loved festivals when they were younger, and won't give them up just because of age and parenthood - it makes for very different festival goers to the trendy brigand. also the festivals tend to be run by musicians, who do it for love / want of a party, rather than to make big bucks.

i'm thinking of the likes of beautiful days, endorse it, sunrise.

i can see the more party festivals slowing passing by, as their crowd of 15-25 year olds move on, either to more varied festivals, the next big thing, or work and shit get in the way of the parties.

[grumpyhack]

I think you've got to consider why people go to festivals. It's often said about Glasto that it's not just about the music. For me that's truer than ever. The relaxing with old friends, forgetting the pressures of the everyday world, not having to respond instantly to dozens of e-mails and things like that are as important, if not more important, than the music. So it's a lot to do with creating the right atmosphere and in the right setting. Places to bimble, sit and watch the world go by are an key part of my choice of which festivals I go to. When it comes to music it's as much about steering clear of the sorts of music I don't enjoy. I love coming across bands not known to me if their music fits into the genres I like.

So all that comes down to festival organisers clearly identifying their market and potential punters. Niche or boutique festivals can be great. It's a bit like looking at Glasto and thinking if I could get all the bits I like in a smaller scaled down fest then that's one for me.

[ivan]

I think you've got to consider why people go to festivals. It's often said about Glasto that it's not just about the music. For me that's truer than ever. The relaxing with old friends, forgetting the pressures of the everyday world, not having to respond instantly to dozens of e-mails and things like that are as important, if not more important, than the music. So it's a lot to do with creating the right atmosphere and in the right setting. Places to bimble, sit and watch the world go by are an key part of my choice of which festivals I go to. When it comes to music it's as much about steering clear of the sorts of music I don't enjoy. I love coming across bands not known to me if their music fits into the genres I like.

So all that comes down to festival organisers clearly identifying their market and potential punters. Niche or boutique festivals can be great. It's a bit like looking at Glasto and thinking if I could get all the bits I like in a smaller scaled down fest then that's one for me.

[maximandan]

How about a 3 day music festival in Cambridgeshire from £30 with camping. 1000 peeps, 3 stages and a late licence you cant go wrong. Check out The Curious Yellow Weekend @ www.curiousyellowweekend.co.uk =)

[denwyn]

Iv'e done my last Glastonbury, so i hope smaller festivals are not on the way out. I have had it all with the push and shove at the bigger festivals,

[grumpyhack]

Iv'e done my last Glastonbury, so i hope smaller festivals are not on the way out. I have had it all with the push and shove at the bigger festivals,

[Bisque]

Glasto ticket day approaches & everyone will be all over it as if Pixie Lott was spread eagle with no knickers on.