Festivals in Australia and the US state of Nevada have become the latest to offer low income tickets for fans who cannot afford premium prices.
The Strawberry Fields dance music event in New South Wales and the Burning Man art celebration in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert will each offer tickets discounted for those who can prove they are living in hardship.
Burning Man, which has attracted 70,000 ‘participants’ in each of the last two years, said approximately 4,000 tickets will be available at US$190 (£155/€180) each. Organisers said these tickets for the August event are “reserved for participants on a limited income who cannot otherwise afford our regular priced ticket”.
Applicants must prove income and expenses, with hopefuls warned that “applications without documentation will not be considered. We will not request additional documentation or clarification, please ensure your application is complete prior to submittal”.
Organisers of Strawberry Fields, which is to be held in November in Tocumwal, said they will be offering 500 low income tickets at Aus$165 (£102) plus booking fees per ticket. This is compared to the standard entry price of Aus$250-$300 per ticket.
They said applications will be assessed on a case by case basis “so the more information you can provide on your circumstances the better. We will consider such factors as your employment status, whether you are currently studying, whether you are receiving government benefits or concessions, and your weekly income”.
A statement on Strawberry Fields website reads: “We understand that attending camping festivals can be an expensive exercise – tickets, fuel, food, camping equipment, it all adds up and can be particularly challenging if you are a student or on a low income. We want Strawberry Fields to be accessible to everyone, regardless of income.’
“Under this scheme 500 tickets have been put aside for those who can prove that they are eligible to be classed as low income earners, with the cost being almost $100 cheaper than what was previously available. Those who apply for the discounted tickets will be assessed based chiefly on their employment status and financial situation.”
Share this