The UK festival scene is in crisis, with 40 festivals already cancelled this summer and over 170 disappearing in the past five years, according to the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF). The recent cancellation of the El Dorado Festival in Herefordshire highlights the severe financial pressures festivals face, including rising operational costs and the impact of the increased cost of living. The AIF warns that without government intervention, over 100 more festivals could vanish by the end of the year, primarily due to unpredictable and unsustainable supply chain costs.
To combat this, the AIF has launched the ‘5% For Festivals’ campaign, urging festival-goers to lobby for a temporary VAT reduction on ticket sales from 20% to 5%. This measure aims to provide the necessary support for festival promoters to rebuild. AIF CEO John Rostron emphasized that the industry’s decline is not due to a lack of public demand but financial challenges. The loss of smaller festivals also threatens emerging talent, reducing opportunities for new artists to perform and grow. Immediate action is needed to preserve this culturally significant industry.
article credit to: www.nme.com
