Scotland’s Connect Festival will not take place in 2024 as organisers focus on planning for the next edition. Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand and other acts performed at the 2022 event, which took place at the Royal Highland Centre near Edinburgh. Reasons for the hiatus weren’t given, but Connect is the latest in a growing list of festivals facing issues around planning, costs and sustainability. Nottingham’s Splendour festival was cancelled due to planning delays from a financially-struggling city council. Barn On The Farm postponed for a year due to financial constraints. UK Music’s John Rostron says there is a growing problem at festivals, with the same issues faced by the country’s grassroots music venues.
Rostron told NME that music venues are the focus of attention, but festival cancellations highlight a larger problem and emphasise the need for festivals. Festivals like Connect provide a vital part of the talent pipeline, Rostron said, but they still have issues that require attention. Rostron stated that a lower rate of VAT on ticket sales is required over three years, and that the government could eventually stabilise the rate. He urged audiences to buy tickets early and on payment plans to aid earlier marketing investment
Read the full article on NME here: Read More