A UK foundation has set up a new crowdfunding campaign to help support young people who have been unable to attend music festivals since turning 18.
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) wants to help those who have been prevented from attending festivals after high costs of living and post-pandemic economic issues led to ticket price surges and reduced disposable income.
Those who turned 18 between September 1, 2019, and August 31, 2023, could be eligible to purchase tickets for just £18.
Other countries have actually implemented similar stipends with Italy, Germany, France, and Spain giving vouchers ranging from 200 to 500 euros to spend on cultural events when citizens turn 18.
Post-pandemic, festivals have seen a 90% drop in revenues and thereby have begun to increase ticket prices to make up for it. Notoriously, Glastonbury tickets rose from £265 in 2022 to £335 in 2023.
A study has found that over a third (36%) of UK young people feel more lonely since they have had to give up aspects of their social life due to the cost of living increasing.
The AIF said about the crowdfunding campaign, “The realization of just how many people missed their first festivals because of Covid kicked off our initial conversations. We talk often about our favorite festival memories, and the rite of passage that many of us enjoyed going to our first festivals when we were young.”
You can donate to AIF’s crowdfunding campaign to help UK teenagers attend their first festival here.
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