As a potential audient (although admittedly not in Seattle unless you want to spring for the air fare), I find the biggest problem with going to see performances is the overall cost. It may be a small amount or even free to get into the venue, but travel costs either by own car or public transport, the hassle and expense of finding legal parking, negotiating a decreased transport service over weekends, exhorbitant taxi cab fares and such like are a real factor when deciding where to go.

Add to that the extortionate prices charged for soft drinks for the designated driver and it mounts up. For those on a budget, they have to think carefully and budget parsimoniously if they want to have any semblance of a social music life.

Sorry, but that's how I see it, and it's why I go to so few single events. At least with a festival, you're there on site, you don't need to travel too far to see many and varied acts and you get better value for money with beer instead of staying sober.

LTS