Price hike doesn’t deter punters
Words: Alex Fynes-Clinton
Tickets to Byron Bay’s Splendour in the Grass 2009 music festival sold out in record time despite a 25 per cent price increase.
Ticket prices swelled to $249 despite the economic recession, up $50 on last year’s cost.
The price hike appeared not to put off eager punters, who snapped up 17,500 tickets in 75 minutes to secure their place at the two-day festival.
Eighteen-year-old local Sally Edwards, a devoted attendee of the festival since age 12, has hit out at the inflated prices. She believes the culture of the festival is being lost amid public and media hype.
“The line-up just isn’t worth what the organisers are asking, especially with the vast majority of acts having already played the festival previously,” she says.
“I remember paying around $50 for my first Splendour ticket in 2003 and it’s just got bigger and bigger since.”
Second year Splendour ticket holder Laura Noonan says she felt the increased ticket price was justified.
“There’s no doubt the price is very steep, especially when compared to last year,” she says.
“But the culture and bands playing the festival make it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
The Flaming Lips, Bloc Party, Jane’s Addiction and MGMT will headline this year’s Splendour in the Grass.
The festival will take place at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay on July 25 and 26.