Increasing Cancellations
Recent reports reveal that the number of music festivals being cancelled, postponed, or permanently shut down in 2024 has reached a staggering 50, as stated by the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF).
Geronimo Festival Closure
Geronimo, a popular family festival in Cheshire, has sadly announced its closure due to being deemed as an “unsustainable financial risk.” Organizers mentioned that a significant portion of festival-goers delayed booking until the last week, leading to this decision.
This Year’s Impact
As a result, this year’s event scheduled for 23 to 26 August has been called off, and refunds will be issued to ticketholders. The organizers expressed their hope that attendees will hold dear the memories of their time at the festival.
Looming Crisis
These cancellations come at a time when Sky News highlighted the crisis within the industry. Many organizers, still reeling from the effects of the pandemic, are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain operations due to rising costs and shifts in ticket purchasing behavior.
Predictions and Concerns
Events such as Towersey in Buckinghamshire and Nibley in Gloucestershire have declared that this year will mark their final gatherings. With 50 festivals cancelled so far in 2024, the total count of lost events since the onset of the COVID outbreak in 2019 has reached 182, according to AIF.
Urgent Government Intervention
John Rostron, the CEO of AIF, emphasized the critical need for government intervention to prevent further festival closures. He warned that without temporary financial aid, around 100 festivals might cease operations by the end of the year, with more at risk in 2025 due to escalating costs.
“Our industry is facing unprecedented financial challenges,” Rostron added. “The incoming government must step in to safeguard the future of independent festivals.”
Advocating for Support
The AIF is urging for a temporary reduction in VAT on festival tickets from 20% to 5%, asserting that this measure could rescue numerous event organizers from imminent closure.
While the government previously allocated funds to support the cultural sector during the pandemic, festival organizers stress the need for tailored assistance for their specific industry.
Organizers’ Plea
Henry Morris, one of the organizers of Norfolk’s Field Maneuvers dance festival, which will host its final edition this year, expressed how a VAT reduction would provide much-needed relief to event planners.
“Given our slim profit margins, having some breathing room to plan effectively would immensely benefit us,” Morris stated in an interview with Sky News.
