Many major festivals more expensive due to pricey artists and employees | Economy

The news service looked at the regular prices, including service costs and, where possible, camping. This shows that Pinkpop, Zwarte Cross and Mysteryland, among others, are more expensive, as are the Lowlands and Down The Rabbit Hole festivals organized by MOJO.

A ticket for Lowlands costs 325 euros this year, which is 25 euros more than last year. Down The Rabbit Hole added 15 euros to last year’s price and now costs 270 euros.

The increase in labor costs in particular has caused ticket prices to increase. “The minimum wage was increased last year, as were many collective labor agreements,” says Bente Bollmann of MOJO.

In addition, according to Bollmann, wages for artists have increased. “We compete worldwide for larger acts, for example with festivals in Asia and America. Artists can only be in one place at one time and in that sense have become a scarce resource.”

The three-day Paaspop, which kicks off the festival season in Schijndel today, increased the price for a weekend ticket with camping by thirty euros to 233.50. “Comparatively speaking, it is not a lot of money for a three-day festival,” responds festival director Peter Sanders, who also indicates that a large number of the tickets for the sold-out festival were sold for a lower price in the early bird phase.

Sanders says that the ever-increasing prices for security and personnel, among other things, are causing the price increase. “Most festivals complain about that, and rightly so. I recently discussed our mobility plan and we have already lost half a million euros for that alone.”

The ten-day Terschelling theater festival Oerol has increased the price for an entrance wristband this year by 5 euros to 47.50. “Since the corona period, fixed costs have increased enormously, sometimes by as much as 20 percent,” says Carola Poleij on behalf of the festival. “Think of simple things, such as renting dixis, but also personnel costs.”

To reduce costs, the festival collaborates with other events on the island, such as the film festival and the marathon. “We purchase things together. That saves costs and is also more sustainable,” says Poleij.

Yet there are also festivals that have not or barely increased the price this year, such as Milkshake, Concert at SEA and Dauwpop. A ticket for the latter event in Hellendoorn costs 149.50 euros this year, comparable to last year, except for a few tens of cents.

“We are on top of things and try to approach it smartly. For example, by renting things locally and concluding multi-year deals,” responds festival director Rob Telgenkamp.

“We have been in a transition from a one-day to a two-day festival for three years, so we also want to invite people to come. We especially want to keep the festival accessible and friendly.”