This thread is mostly about Pricing and performers.The recession is starting but is nowhere near being in full swing.Let's raise this discussion at Easter and see if we're coming from the same angle.
It's a conundrum, but it will get very messy a month after Christmas - when the credit cards need paying and the job losses start to mount. The equation keeps changing - a few months ago Tom Bliss and others were (quite rightly) on another thread bemoaning the price of car fuel for performer and audience . THAT element has suddenly taken a change for the better and long may it last, but,it forms part of the aforementioned equation. Sorry to be so gloomy but "There may be troubles ahead , but while there's music etc etc......."