UK Audience Numbers

Subject: UK Audience Numbers
From: GUEST,Phil_1982
Date: 16 May 12 - 09:03 AM

A quick question for all you UK folk, roots and acoustic music promoters.

How have you found audience numbers over this last year? Have you seen a downturn? Have you found that less people are purchasing tickets upfront?

From my point of view, promoting in Bracknell and Ascot in Berkshire - our audience numbers have been so mixed that we really cannot establish a trend. Some shows that you don't expect to pull that well, have sold very well - while others (especially 'guest' nights) haven't pulled the numbers you would expect.

I've come to the conclusion that ticket price must be a factor, and that punters seem happier to pay £5 and take a chance on a showcase event of up and coming artists, than double the price to see an artist they have heard of.

Would be interesting to hear thoughts on this.

Apologies if this question has already been asked on here.

Cheers

Subject: RE: UK Audience Numbers
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 May 12 - 11:33 AM

GUEST Phil - IF you were a member I would PM you , but I am not going to start any thing in Open Forum that would probably lead to an argument

Subject: RE: UK Audience Numbers
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 16 May 12 - 11:50 AM

There are many variables and I have been seeing a lot of variation. A few random thoughts (I know nothing about you or your gigs):

1. Are you targetting the right audience?
2. How do they regard your venue? People may not pay £10 if they view it as a "club" but might for a "concert".
3. The performers who people "in the business" regard as the good ones are not necessarily the ones that the punters recognise.
4. Have you build a regular audience who want something slightly different from what you are trying to put on (they want singerounds or oepn mic, you are trying to stage "shops").
5. Are you depending too much on repeat business or poaching audience from other local clubs?

Subject: RE: UK Audience Numbers
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 16 May 12 - 11:52 AM

Typo - that should of course be "shows" not "shops".

Remember to check Preview!

Subject: RE: UK Audience Numbers
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 16 May 12 - 02:58 PM

Two factors you should already be aware of
1) We're in a recession
2) The number of retired folkies is rapidly increasing = more time but less money to spend

Subject: RE: UK Audience Numbers
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 16 May 12 - 05:35 PM

You can sell out a "folk" event to a young audience if you put on the right event with the right publicity. Just watch the queues for the Ceilidh Club in London.