Music festival attendance drops

YouGov
February 24, 2012, 12:57 PM GMT+0

2012 to see a drop in music festival attendance in comparison to 2011 figures; economy a factor

The YouGov Music Festival report states that festival attendance for 2012 will pale in comparison to figures for 2011.

The research reveals that just under a third of previous festival-goers plan on going to a music festival this year, while half say that they ‘don’t expect to go to a festival in 2012’.

  • Of UK festival goers, i.e. those who have attended a festival at least once in the past, over half (51%) said they had been to a UK music festival in the past 12 months
  • 29% of previous festival-goers plan on going to a music festival this year
  • 50% say that they 'don’t expect to go to a festival' this year

Economic downturn

The research also reveals that 39% of those who have previously attended music festivals go to fewer festivals as a result of the economic downturn.

  • However, for 45% of UK festival goers, the recession has made no impact on the number of festivals they attend each year.
  • One third (32%) of festival goers surveyed say that festivals have become too expensive with only 5% claiming they represent value for money

Commenting on the findings from the report James McCoy, Research Director for YouGov SixthSense, said, 'While financial constraints may curtail the number going to festivals this year, factors within the industry itself should also be taken into account. For instance, the absence of Glastonbury Festival is particularly significant. It’s the flagship UK music festival and the most visible expression of festival culture, occupying a key place in the UK psyche.'

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