New data suggests the COVID-19 crisis may not critically affect festival demand after lockdowns are lifted.
A survey of 110,000 users conducted by Festicket and obtained by Music Business Worldwide gauged how soon music fans would be comfortable going to large-scale gatherings. The U.K. ticketing platform found that 82% “would feel confident” attending one within one to six months after lockdown is lifted. Of them, 35% would be willing within two to three months and 31% immediately afterwards. Among those surveyed were users in the U.K., France, Germany and the Netherlands.
Festicket’s survey also found that 75% of festivalgoers strongly believe the 2021 festival season will not be affected by COVID-19, and that they feel confident booking tickets for next year’s gatherings.
On The Flip
While demand for post-lockdown gatherings may look promising, the aftermath of the pandemic spells trouble on the supply side. Among COVID-19’s first economic impacts was a festival collapse from which numerous established event brands may not rebound.
Earlier in May, the Association of Independent Festivals forewarned of a U.K. “festival wasteland” in a survey of their own. The report found that 92% of the organizers they represent perceived their business to be at risk in the absence of government aid.
Read the findings of the survey in full on the Festicket website.
