Are high ticket prices jeopardizing the future of festivals?

 

As the cost of living keeps increasing, so does the cost of attending most festivals in Canada. The following article https://nationalpost.com/news/festival-season-prices-for-canadians highlights the price increases for a number of Canadian festivals. The increase in ticket prices, which is usually higher than the increase in general inflation, begs the following question: Are high ticket prices jeopardizing the future of festivals?

As someone with 11 years of experience producing a multiday festival, I feel that these big ticket prices ARE putting the festival industry at risk. 

Here's why: Festivals will always have those "hardcore" fans, who will come out year after year, regardless of price increases. It's tradition for them, and that's great! The risk that high ticket prices pose to festivals is the alienation of potential attendees. If someone is "sitting on the fence" regarding attending a festival or not, a high ticket price makes it very easy to say NO. It's an easier decision to save money by not making a purchase than it is to put one's money out there. 

By alienating future attendees, festivals are dooming their own futures. 

What do you think?