Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research discusses the challenges faced by music festivals post-pandemic, including the struggles of big festivals like Coachella. They explore the evolution of festivals into cultural phenomena, changing ticket buying trends, adapting to Gen Z attendees, and the profitability for top artists. The conversation also touches on Ariana Grande's Coachella performance and upcoming music festivals.
Music festivals face challenges due to oversaturation and declining consumer trust.
Top artists prioritize lucrative tours over festival appearances, impacting headliner availability.
Deep dives
Decline in Music Festivals
Certain music festivals like Made in America, Beel Street Music Festival, and Firefly are taking a pause or not returning. Coachella experienced lower demand, with tickets available even close to the event. Despite the live music industry's profits post-pandemic and successful tours by global stars, challenges persist. The oversaturation of the festival market, underestimated efforts to build a brand, and declining consumer trust impact the festival industry.
Music Festival Culture Evolution
The 2010s saw a surge in music festivals due to millennial values of experiences over material things. Events like Coachella turned festivals into a lifestyle brand, with celebrities, surprises, and an influence on music trends. Festivals hosted DJs like David Guetta, Calvin Harris, and Avicii, catapulting EDM into pop music. Expansion to multiple weekends and revenue growth characterized festivals like Coachella.
Artists and Festival Economics
Top-tier artists like Beyoncé now prefer lucrative tours over festival gigs. The rise of mega superstars demands high tour earnings, impacting festival headliner availability. Drake, Taylor Swift, and Coldplay demonstrate increased revenue from tours over festival appearances. The shift towards individual tours and declining A-plus listers challenge traditional festival models.
Challenges and Trends in Festival Industry
Extensive competition, weather risks, and evolving audience preferences pose challenges for festivals. Gen Z's varied music tastes, higher entertainment standards, and reluctance to face festival hardships impact event attendance. The liability, cultural shifts, and changing artist festival dynamics influence festival planning and audience engagement. Artist-led festivals face decline amidst logistical, financial, and trust concerns post-pandemic.
Despite the all-time record highs for the live music industry, music festivals haven't quite had the same post-pandemic recovery. Several well-known festivals have closed up shop, and others have had slower than usual demand (even Coachella!)
To break it all down, I'm joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research. Hope you enjoy!
Make sure you check out our Chartmetric stat of the episode!
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