Struggling Festivals, Lacking Appeal? The Need to Expand beyond Musical Performances
The vibrant summer festival scene has its own magical allure, enticing thousands to gather at events like Wacken, Rock am Ring, and the Rheingau Music Festival. Yet, beneath the surface, these events face hardships that need addressing.
Budget Blues and Financial Instability
One of the primary factors for the contemporary festival industry's woes is escalating costs. Expenses for personnel, energy, technology, and artist fees have skyrocketed. For instance, artist fees can rise as much as 300%. Weather risks, too, have changed, demanding investments in insurance, structures, grounds, and more. Energy and logistics costs, as well as technology, have also seen significant hikes. Overall, production costs alone have ballooned by approximately 40%.
Lara Wassermann, a spokesperson for "Back to the Roots," reported these increased costs in taz, citing up to 250% surges in some areas for their event attended by around 8,000 visitors in Niedergörsdorf, Brandenburg.
These expenses inevitably get transferred to ticket prices, with the Hurricane Festival's ticket at a steep 280 euros - a hefty amount for many music aficionados. Such high fees deter potential visitors and contribute to declining attendance. Despite these prices, covering costs remains elusive. Stephan Thanscheidt, CEO of the event company FKP Scorpio, explains, "We weren't able to pass on these price increases, especially in personnel, one-to-one." The Public feels the prices are high, but they're often not enough to prevent organizers from incurring losses, even with sold-out events.
With ticket sales no longer covering all expenses, festivals increasingly depend on income from catering, sponsors, and merchandise sales. They're essential for keeping music fans amidst the fresh air.
Besides high ticket prices, societal shifts also contribute to this changing landscape. Many attendees wait till the last minute to buy tickets or verify their attendance due to factors like costs and weather.
Market Overcrowding
However, escalating costs make up only part of the problem. The industry association points to market oversaturation. Despite the mentioned challenges, the number of festivals has swelled since pre-COVID times. This surge is driven by people's quest for camaraderie and identification, yet the high number of events means that not all can operate profitably. Famous examples of calls to halt or cease events include the Melt Festival and the Hip-Hop Open. This market saturation forces many organizers to dream up innovative ways to stand out and offer something special.
Adaptation and Creativity as Keys to Survival
To thrive in this complex environment, festivals must keep evolving and devise new ways to captivate their audiences. Alexander Feiertag from the Open Flair Festival urges festivals to provide more than just music. Mixing small-scale art, cabaret, comedy, and other cultural activities into the program offers visitors a comprehensive experience.
Another example of successful transformation is the Rheingau Music Festival. Caroline Lazaro reports that her festival is thriving despite mounting costs, with high demand. She underscores the importance of sponsors and public funding for festival success. A balanced roster of established artists and emerging talents contributes to the festival's popularity and variety.
The Burg Herzberg Festival, Europe's oldest outdoor hippie festival, also demonstrates the significance of branching out beyond music. Offerings like yoga and cacao ceremonies foster a creative atmosphere and encourage a sense of community among attendees. Robert Stolz from Future of Festivals notes that festivals must innovate and sometimes shrink to flourish sustainably. Adapting to changing circumstances and the ongoing development of the festival scene are vital for the industry's survival.
Internationalism and Community Spirit
Wacken Open Air, the world's largest metal festival, exemplifies internationalism and the strong community that defines it. Despite adverse weather, Wacken remains a staple in the festival world. The village's transition to accommodate the festival and the economic boost it provides to villagers showcase festivals' positive impact on local communities.
Incorporating sustainable practices, like CO2 compensation projects, renewable energy, waste management, sustainable catering, education, and awareness, can help festivals minimize their environmental footprint and draw eco-conscious attendees. Nightlife organisations can look to these strategies to preserve both their events and the planet.
- The escalating costs in personnel, energy, technology, and artist fees, coupled with market oversaturation, have caused financial instability within the contemporary festival industry. Festival organizers are seeking creative ways to offset these expenses, such as offering a diverse cultural experience or focusing on sustainability, to attract and retain attendees.
- While the costs of production and ticket prices have increased significantly, many festivals are finding alternative sources of revenue, like catering, sponsors, and merchandise sales, to keep operating. Moreover, the international festivals, like Wacken Open Air, are leveraging their strong community spirit and internationalism to boost local economies and minimize their environmental footprint, making them an attractive option for eco-conscious attendees.
