By Paul Sandle and Dylan Martinez
GLASTONBURY, England (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of people flocked to Worthy Farm on Wednesday for a three-year return to the Glastonbury festival, which will feature performances by hundreds of artists from Billie Eilish to Paul McCartney.
The party scenes represent a reprieve for a shows industry that struggled for survival after Covid-19 ended the entire 2020 season and a big chunk of 2021.
“We are open,” said Michael Eavis, who founded Glastonbury 52 years ago, as he cheered the crowd as the first of 200,000 fans entered his farm in southwest England. “Absolutely wonderful,” he said. “I’m delighted to see you all.”
Despite Glastonbury’s triumphant comeback, which is welcoming ticket-purchasers in 2019, many smaller festivals are struggling through one of the toughest economic environments in decades.
Many are getting tickets from previous years, limiting the chance to raise prices to reflect rising costs.
Industry-wide costs have increased by 20% to 30%, according to Paul Reed, president of the Association of Independent Festivals, driven by pressure on supply chains, a lack of skilled workers after many left the industry, and high energy costs. .
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