Sam Pagett’s Post

The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has launched a vital campaign aimed at securing a much-needed VAT reduction on festival tickets to safeguard the future of the UK's vibrant festival scene. In the UK, many feel we have a strong and ever growing music festival scene – but the independent sector of this world-leading industry still suffers due to issues around Covid and Brexit, making maintaining a UK festival even more difficult than ever. The AIF needs UK citizens, to write to their MP.. Asking to support the 5% VAT for festivals scheme. The 5% For Festivals campaign, unveiled at the AIF's Festival Congress, seeks to address the pressing financial challenges facing festival promoters, which have been exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic, Brexit, inflation, and geopolitical tensions. With at least 36 festivals cancelled in 2023 and six already facing closure in 2024, urgent action is needed to prevent further devastating losses. https://lnkd.in/e3pAM3xH

Every day, I'm in conversation with festival promoters, suppliers, and my team at The Fair, confronting the hard truths about the challenges our industry faces from the festival frontline.   In my capacity as Vice Chair of the Association of Independent Festivals, we've been collectively tackling the cost challenges faced by UK festivals, urging the government to reduce VAT on ticket sales to 5%.   The launch of the 'Five % For Festivals' campaign at the AIF congress last week marks the culmination of industry-wide support and significant collaboration.   Why should we ALL support Five % for Festivals?   🔹 Festivals are for Everyone: It's essential to recognize the extensive cultural and social value festivals contribute nationwide. Please buy your favourite festival tickets now. The bonus? You'll have fantastic summer plans to look forward to. 🔹 A Call to the Music Industry: We're keen to hear your voice too. Festivals act as talent incubators, creating live experiences where audiences truly connect and become lifelong fans. We need artists and the industry to motivate fans to purchase tickets now.   🔹 It Takes a Village: Festivals are intricate economic and social ecosystems. They're not just about music and performance; shows hire creatives of all genres, artisan food and drink enterprises, book out local hospitality. Music tourism combined earns the UK around £6.6 billion a year. The economic ripple effects of festivals extend far and wide, from individuals to entire local regions.   🔹 Get Involved: Visit the website (below) and follow the guide on the best ways to support, including writing an impactful letter to your MP.    Your Festival Needs You.   All credit to the Association of Independent Festivals, my team at The Fair, Access All Areas Magazine, and Electric Cat Productions for building and designing the website, ensuring AIF funds and promotes a national campaign that will benefit all. #festivalseason #calltoaction #creativeeconomy #yourfestivalneedsyou https://lnkd.in/eetcFcxw

ICYMI - we launched Five Percent for Festivals at this years Festival Congress. The 5% For Festivals campaign is an awareness campaign that seeks to inform festival-goers about the problems that music festival promoters have faced over the last 5 years, encouraging them to contact their MPs to lobby for a much needed VAT reduction on tickets. AIF CEO John Rostron said: “We really are at a critical point for the UK’s festival sector. Five years ago, it would have been impossible to imagine that promoters would have to endure something as damaging as the Covid-19 pandemic – but many of them did, without passing the inevitable cost onto the consumer. To think that, since then, they have had to manage the effects of Brexit, war in Ukraine, inflation and an energy crisis is staggering. That festival-goers were able to enjoy some of the fantastic events they did in 2023 is testament to the resilience and passion of those promoters. But we lost 36 festivals last year, and with six festivals having postponed activity in 2024 or closed the gates for good, we are on track to see well over double the number of casualties this year. “UK festivals need time to recover and rebuild. They need help from our Government. A reduction in VAT on festival tickets from 20% to 5% for three years is an evidence-based, simple, sensible remedy that would ease the financial burden on promoters enough for them to return to health. We need this action now.” Visit the website: https://lnkd.in/ebQ87_Mf

The music festival industry is facing a significant challenge as ticket sales continue to drop, and the root cause lies in the increasing reliance on generic entertainment and marketing strategies driven solely by data analytics. While these methods can be effective for short-term gains, they often lack the creativity and vision necessary to sustain long-term interest and excitement. This issue has become a persistent “cancer” within the live events industry, leading to the downfall of even some of the largest festivals. As someone with a deep passion and love for festivals, I see the potential to reverse this trend. With the right creative vision and strategic approach, we can breathe new life into these events and significantly boost their online video audiences. The focus needs to shift back to the authentic experience that festivals can offer, rather than just the numbers-driven approach that has been dominating the scene. Jesse Banerjee Chippendales Estate Administrator/Heir – Nightlife Visionary Passionate About Dance Music, Leisure & Travel

Last week team Proud Events attended Association of Independent Festivals Congress and it a great day of lightening talks, debates and networking. In the opening address AIF CEO John Rostron announced the 5% for Festivals campaign which is an awareness campaign that seeks to inform festival-goers about the problems that music festival promoters have faced over the last 5 years, encouraging them to contact their MPs to lobby for a much needed VAT reduction on tickets. As someone who has been in the industry for over 15 years I can confidently 2023 was one of the most challenging years across the industry and the festival sector is in desperate need of support. With rising costs in the industry combined with the cost of living crisis affecting ticket sales an overwhelming number of independent festivals won't return for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. AIF CEO John Rostron said: “We really are at a critical point for the UK’s festival sector. Five years ago, it would have been impossible to imagine that promoters would have to endure something as damaging as the Covid-19 pandemic – but many of them did, without passing the inevitable cost onto the consumer. To think that, since then, they have had to manage the effects of Brexit, war in Ukraine, inflation and an energy crisis is staggering. That festival-goers were able to enjoy some of the fantastic events they did in 2023 is testament to the resilience and passion of those promoters. But we lost 36 festivals last year, and with six festivals having postponed activity in 2024 or closed the gates for good, we are on track to see well over double the number of casualties this year. “UK festivals need time to recover and rebuild. They need help from our Government. A reduction in VAT on festival tickets from 20% to 5% for three years is an evidence-based, simple, sensible remedy that would ease the financial burden on promoters enough for them to return to health. We need this action now.” Couldn't have put it better myself. Please contact your MP to lobby for this reduction. Visit the website: https://lnkd.in/ebQ87_Mf

Live music needs continued support to survive. The launch of the 'Five % For Festivals' campaign at the AIF congress last month marks the culmination of industry-wide support and significant collaboration. It takes a lot of people to make events, and these people and the live industry need support. Get involved and join the campaign. Find out how you can get involved by visiting the website - the link is in the comments below. 🔗 👇 Your Festival Needs You. #fivepercentforfestivals #helpustohelpfestivals #festivals #sustainableevents #events #eventsindustry #eventprofs #eventprofsuk #creativeeconomy

🎪 5% VAT for Festivals 🎪 AIF UK are asking the UK Government to lower VAT on music festival ticket sales from 20% to 5% for a temporary period of three years. As of last week, 21 UK festivals have announced having to postpone, cancel, or completely close this year. AIF are predicting that the UK may lose over 100 festivals in 2024 due to rising costs. We have witnessed the damage that the pandemic, increasing supply chain costs, Brexit, and the energy crisis have caused to the once thriving UK festival scene. In order to keep our most-loved events alive, the government must take action now! #aif #ukfestival #5percentVAT #5percentVATforfestivals #eventmanagement #festivalmanagement #sitemanagement #eventproduction #festivalproduction #wemakeevents #eventprofs

Did you spot any Haulaway Storage Containers at EDC this weekend?!! While the lineup was great….we think the star of the show was our on-site storage containers (we might be a bit biased🤩) With all of the extra equipment needed for music festivals, our on-site storage containers are the perfect storage solution to keep valuables on-site and accessible when needed #edc #haulawaystoragecontainers #onsitestorage #jobsitestorage #portablestoragecontainers #storagesolutions #safestorage #lasvegasstorage #equiptmentrental

You’re supposed to enjoy yourself at music festivals. Three to four days in a field, access to loads of fantastic music, people, food and drinks? It can be like a mini paradise. But like all things, festivals sometimes go wrong. Bad organisation, poor planning and a lack of safety can mean cancellations. Or, in the worst case scenario, death and injuries. With this in mind, we’ve had a think about some of the most disastrous festivals over the past twenty years and what we can learn from them. Hit the comments to read our thoughts! #Skiddle #MoreThanATicket #eventindustry #ticketing #promoters #eventplanning #eventplanningtips #eventmarketing #tickets #festivals #selltickets #gigs #clubs

We’re now in the thick of the 2024 festival season! Whether your event has already dazzled attendees or you’re gearing up to hold your first vibrant experience in August, we’ve got you covered. If you’re in the latter camp, don’t miss our latest article! Head to the comments now to find a detailed blog packed with insights on how to successfully promote a music festival. #Skiddle #Howto #Festivals #FestivalPromotion #Promotion #MusicFestivals #ArtFestivals #Culture #eventindustry #ticketing #promoters #eventplanning #eventplanningtips #tickets #eventmarketing #selltickets #gigs #clubs #eventprofs