Festivals struggling due to 'cost of living and Brexit'

A festival organiser from Kent has blamed a range of factors including the cost of living, Brexit and the return of Oasis for several high-profile events not returning this year.

Kent festivals Black Deer, Hawkfest and Medway Gaming Festival have all confirmed their postponement for 2025.

Josh Heyburn from The Occasionall Group, which provides staffing for events including Black Deer, said "budgets are stretched for small to medium-sized festivals".

However, John Wingate from Blue Reef at Loddington Farm near Linton, said that the reduced competition "benefits those who are putting on events this year".

Mr Heyburn has been involved in the live music scene for over a decade but said he hasn't witnessed circumstances as challenging as they are now.

"The rising cost of living has seen the industry face real difficulties as to whether events can continue to be staged," he said.

"Fuel prices going up, the minimum wage increasing each year. This chips away at profits as an event can't just add an extra 10% to its price from the previous year, that would put people off attending."

Mr Heyburn also said that the UK leaving the European Union has made it harder for musicians to tour abroad due to them now requiring a working visa. As a result many opt to stage their own domestic tours instead of festival appearances, where they can control ticket revenue and sell greater quantities of merchandise.

He said the festival industry hasn't been helped by the "once in a generation event" of Oasis reforming. "Many people have decided to spend their money on seeing the Gallaghers this summer instead of going to a festival," he added.

The Black Deer Festival announced in November the event would not be taking place in 2025 due to "rising production costs and general economic conditions" aiming to return in 2026 with online channels and live music events still taking place.

Gill Tee, co-founder of the festival, said: "This is certainly not the end of the Black Deer story. We are so proud to have built one of the most wonderful festival communities."

However, one Kent festival organiser is positive about this summer as he said less competition has seen strong early ticket sales.

John Wingate, the founder of Blue Reef Festival at Loddington Farm near Linton, told BBC Radio Kent "even before we announced The Happy Mondays and Reef as our headliners we had sold a lot of early-bird tickets thanks to word of mouth from those who have been in previous years."

A spokesperson from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "Festivals are an important part of cultural life in Britain and one of the pillars of our world-leading music industry.

"That is why we are investing an extra £2.5 million in the Supporting Grassroots Music Fund, which allows festivals to apply for grants and receive additional support.

"We are also urging the live music industry to introduce a voluntary levy on all stadium and arena tickets to help support grassroots venues, festivals, artists and promoters."

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