I've read a lot of these recent postings and have come to the conclusion that a lot of people on here want something for nothing. You want it laid out on a plate with jam on and you don't want to part with a solitary measly penny to get it. Festival prices? Booking fees? Anything at all it seems. A friend of mine opened his bar from 8am a couple of years ago during Whitby folk week so that it could be used for dance practice and for singing practice (It's a big bar) and he brought in two members of staff to work. He gave the premesis up for free on the condition that, naturally, people bought his drinks and food. It was made clear beforehand that this was the condition. He sold, out of a total of 45 people, 4 coffees! The rest had tap water, and some even had the audacity to bring flasks! Nobody bought so much as a bacon sandwich. Folkies during Whitby folk week are notoriously tight-fisted, ask any local trader. Personally, I find this at most festivals that I go to across the country too. Unless, of course it's spent on beer!
Obviously, I'm generalisisng, but it's a pretty widespread disease.