The UK music festival industry faces a severe crisis, with over 100 festivals projected to close in 2024. One in six festivals has already fallen victim to post-pandemic challenges, with 40 venues lost in early 2024 alone.

Multiple factors contribute to this decline:

• Rising production costs (30% increase since pre-pandemic)
• Honoring 2019 ticket prices for postponed events
• Brexit-related paperwork complications
• Increased artist touring costs
• Ongoing inflation and energy crisis

In 2023, 36 music festivals cancelled their events to avoid operating at a loss. Notable casualties include:

• NASS Festival (30,000 capacity)
• Leopollooza
• Long Division
• Nozstock The Hidden Valley
• Bluedot
• Barn On the Farm

The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) proposes reducing VAT on festival ticket sales from 20% to 5% for three years to help the industry recover. This measure previously helped support the live entertainment sector during COVID-19.

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