As the summer approaches, many of us will be donning our bucket hats and wellington boots to attend various music festivals across the UK. However, the number of festivals taking place this year has seen a significant decline. In March, The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) announced that 21 UK festivals have confirmed cancellation, postponement or been scrapped altogether. It is predicted that the number of festival cancellations in 2024 will overtake the 2023 figures, which saw 36 festivals scrapped ahead of the summer season. 

So, what is the main issue resulting in the downfall of our music festivals here in the UK? Well, the main factor is arguably the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is estimated that 1 in 6 UK festivals came to an end during or after this period due to soaring costs making events economically unfeasible. In a report conducted by the AIF, they concluded that “Without intervention, it’s expected that the UK could see over 100 festivals disappear in 2024 due to rising costs. Without having had a single steady season since the pandemic in which to recover, the country’s festivals are under more financial strain than ever.”

Festivals that have already confirmed cancellation include Gloucester’s Barn On The Farm and Cheshire’s Neighbourhood Weekender, however both have confirmed their returns in 2025. Elsewhere, Nottingham’s Splendour Festival has announced it is “taking a break in 2024,” whilst Tunes on the Bay, a new music festival expected in Swansea this year, has been postponed until 2025 too. 

For other festivals, the situation is unfortunately even worse. For Herefordshire’s Nozstock, this year will be the final edition of the festival, citing “the losses incurred over COVID” as being the main factor, alongside the cost-of-living crisis posing severe “financial risk.” Also not returning next year is Nibley Festival, who have described their final event as “A Big Farewell Party.” According to the AIF, this is due to “rapidly rising production costs” no longer making the event possible. 

With such a decrease in festival events going ahead this year, what is the AIF’s plan to sustain the surviving music festivals? In a report released by the AIF in February, then company announced a new campaign titled 5% for Festivals. The scheme aims to encourage the public to contact their MPs to push for a VAT reduction on festival tickets. The goal is to reduce VAT from 20% to 5% in the next three years. Fingers crossed there is hope for our festivals yet. 

Image: Unsplash