The Festival Business

There are thousands of festivals in the UK each year and millions of us go to them. But as an organiser how do you make any money? Do logistics and the British weather make them a risky business? Every year festivals get cancelled and some cease trading. Profit margins are tight, say organisers, and set-up costs are high. A big festival may have to pay more a million pounds to secure a top headline act.

Evan Davis and guests discuss mud, music and hard cash.

Guests: Syima Aslam, co-founder and director of the Bradford Literature Festival Ian Stockley, chief executive of the Bath Festivals. Simon Taffe, co-founder of the End of The Road Festival.