UK music festivals face financial crisis, seek VAT cut
Music festivals across the UK are struggling with rising costs and declining ticket sales, prompting calls for a government VAT cut to help the industry survive.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
UK music festivals are facing a deepening financial crisis, with dozens of events cancelled before the summer season even began. Industry figures show a sharp decline since the pandemic, and organisers are now calling on the government to cut VAT on ticket sales to help the sector survive.
According to recent data, 96 festivals closed during the pandemic, and the losses have continued. In 2023, 36 festivals went under, followed by 78 in 2024 and another 43 in 2025. This year, of the roughly 600 music festivals still operating, 35 have already been axed before gates opened. Most of those hit are independent events, squeezed by rising costs and reduced ticket sales.
The economic pressure is forcing many independent festivals to the brink. Dougie Brown, producer of the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, said costs increase year on year, but organisers cannot always pass those increases on to customers. He said the gap between rising expenses and what can be charged is getting bigger.
Industry leaders are asking for a targeted tax relief, similar to existing schemes for theatres and orchestras. John Rostron, chief executive of the Association of Independent Festivals, said a grassroots music festival tax relief would create the gap needed to keep events affordable and viable. He argued that festivals are a good investment for the government, bringing money into local economies across all four nations.
The government has taken some steps. Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has said he would lower business rates for pubs, clubs and live music events by 20% from April. But festival organisers say this must extend beyond pub doors and into festival fields.
Festivals are seen as vital to British culture and to nurturing new talent. Many major artists, including Lewis Capaldi, Sam Fender and Emeli Sandé, played early sets at small festivals before becoming stars. The decline in festivals could threaten that pipeline.
Meanwhile, a separate development highlights another side of festival culture. A designer in Manchester is turning abandoned festival tents into sustainable fashion. Jess O'Reilly collects tents left behind at events and transforms them into bags and clothing. It is estimated that around 250,000 tents are left at UK festivals each year, and an average tent contains the plastic equivalent of 8,000 straws. O'Reilly says she would rather go out of business, because her real message is for people to take their tents home.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 4 | ITV |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Burnham proposed a 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music events starting in April. | · | |
| Around 250,000 tents are abandoned at UK festivals annually. | · | |
| Jess worked with the sustainability team at Kendal Calling Festival to set up a tent donation processing area. | · | |
| Music festival cancellations have risen, with 36 in 2023, 78 in 2024, and at least 35 in 2025. | · | |
| The average tent has as much plastic as roughly 8,000 straws. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Channel 4 focused on the financial crisis facing UK music festivals, the sharp rise in cancellations, and the industry's call for a VAT cut or targeted tax relief. The report included interviews with festival producers and industry leaders, highlighting the economic pressures and the cultural importance of independent festivals. The tone was concerned and advocacy-oriented, stressing the need for government intervention.
- “The call for reduced tax on ticket sales has been ongoing for years and the government is listening to a point.”
- “This is to me our heritage it's working class culture once pubs are gone they they don't come back.”
- “we're looking for either a cultural rate of VAT like Dougie says happens in other countries but for us a really targeted grassroots music festival tax relief would be the answer”
ITV1 did not cover the financial crisis or VAT cut story. Instead, it ran a positive feature about a designer turning abandoned festival tents into sustainable fashion. The report highlighted the scale of tent waste at UK festivals and showcased an innovative solution. The tone was upbeat and feature-like, with no mention of economic pressures or government policy.
- “She's turning it into sustainable fashion.”
- “It's a great idea because every single year it's estimated around 250,000 tents get left behind at UK festivals.”
- “And believe it or not, an average tent is made up of the equivalent amount of plastic as around 8,000 straws.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.