Strawberry Fields organisers have called on other festivals to introduce tickets for low-income fans stating, “it’s not really a huge sacrifice.”
The Australian festival, which is in its third year of offering cheaper ticket options, will provide a limited number of passes at a discounted price.
“The first time I heard of it, I wondered why nobody was doing it in Australia,” Tara Benney, Strawberry Fields festival director, told the 10 Daily news website.
“We instituted it a few years ago, and nobody else in Australia has done it.”
Some 500 low-income tickets will be available for A$165 (£93/$113/€102), while the standard price sits at $280-$330.
Strawberry Fields, a three-day festival that runs from November 29 to December 1, will welcome local and international artists, such as German-born DJ Gerd Janson, the UK’s Leon Vynnehall and Australia’s own CC:Disco
Benney said: “We ask people to show proof they’re on a low income, ask them to substantiate that’s their income, bank statements, they can provide copies of being on Centrelink or are a carer for someone, and a statement saying why they’re eligible.
“Majority are students, some are carers, caring financially for a relative for a parent or siblings.”
Benney said the regulatory costs of festivals have seen the prices of tickets shoot up.
“The kind of people who can access festivals has narrowed,” she said. “Particularly among young people, who are struggling with wages, increasing costs of school, so many factors. We didn’t want to see our audience narrow to just those at the top end of spectrum.
“Festivals can be a meeting ground of culture, mateship, getting inspired — it’s not fair that its only accessible to people who can splash out $1,000 for an event. I call on other festivals to do same thing, it’s not really a huge sacrifice.”
Image: Pxhere
Share this