Summer festivals. Crisis? None of that

Summer is the favorite height of the Portuguese – and not only – with regard to summer festivals. Music, air, outfits In detail thought out, friends and a lot of fun are the main ingredients. But industry has been changing over the last few years. Some reinvent themselves, others can’t. Mythical festivals will not host festivals this year but others open doors for the first time.

We have heard a lot about the crises of the summer festivals in Portugal and the news of the cancellation of the North Festival, for location, Super Bock Super Rock, looking for a new prosecutor, or Meo Sudoeste, who goes through the same situation, made the warning. But will it really be the sector of festivals in crisis? Is there festivals reduction?

THE LIGHTRicardo Bramao, President Aporfest – Portuguese Association Festivals Music, guarantees: «There is no reduction»remembering that last year had «A record of 358 music festivals and all typologies (small, medium and large dimension) had increases» and that «This year the trend is repeated».

Asked if the ‘fashion’ of the festivals is getting lost, Ricardo Bramão assumes that «There is a new way of grasping and living music by the public, namely in the younger classes» but guarantees that «Festivals are increasingly transversal throughout the country». « There was the most media festivals phenomenon not to occur this year, but there are others to occupy this space. »defends, adding that «There have always been canceled and postponed festivals each year and this number is always very small».

On the trends for the future, the president of Aporfest says that «The phenomenon of festivals is innovated, see the phenomenon of Electronics, with boutique festivals, where Portugal is putting a strong investment through different promoters and in the coming of international DJs, instead of pop/rock».

THE LIGHTa source linked to the festivals sector argues: « I wouldn’t call crisis to what has happened to summer festivals – not only in Portugal, but worldwide – I think it’s another phase of adaptation. » In the opinion of this official, the main responsible for these changes in the scenario are the costs added in the preparation of these events, as well as competition or changes in public behavior.

“The fact that very important festivals have been canceled in the country does not mean that the same will happen to others. Some die, others are born. Sometimes it is a matter of logistics and in many cases can even be factors alien to promoters »it is good.

Canceled festivals

The warning that there would be changes begins with the cancellation of festivals very cherished by the public. Super Bock Super Rock, for example, was postponed to 2026. It was the brewer herself who announced that she will continue to be the sponsor naming of the festival, but this will not take place this year for finding itself in «Transition Process». The news came after the end of the connection between the festival and the promoter Music in the heart, by Luís Montez.

Already the Southwest festival, held in Herdade da Casa White, will also take a break this year. The organization – which is also music in the heart – argued that this pause will serve to «A New Chapter» in the history of the event. It is recalled that the southwest lost the sponsor in 2023, the MEO.

And since there are no two without three, the North Music Festival – which was, by the way, the first to be canceled – scheduled for this month in Porto, was canceled due to «Internal problems related to the authorization of the enclosure of the venue». But the shows will happen.

Outside, the ‘crisis’ also happens. We recall, for example, by Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which welcomes people from around the world and quickly sees tickets run out. In 2024, this festival, which takes place annually in California, saw the speed of ticket sales a lot. And this year the trend followed. Not to mention the criticism. Once in April, a few days from its beginning, the tickets had not yet exhausted and had many to be resold at half the starting price.

Heavy posters

But if some festivals show some difficulties, others remain in stern wind. According to Aporfest data, this year there are 13 new festivals and ‘only’ five were canceled. Therefore, the balance is positive.

By way of example, in Portugal, Nos Alive returns to the Maritime Tour of Algés from July 10 to 12 and brings names like Olivia Rodrigo or Kings of Leon. Before, from 12 to 15 June, the Spring Sound will take place in Porto. It brings names such as Deftones, David Bruno, TV on the Radio, among others. Already to see Sam Smith or Massive Attack, just participate in Meo Kolorama, from 19 to 21 June.

At Meo Marés Vivas, from July 19th to 20th, there are names such as Scorpions, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Miguel Araújo and the four and half, Pedro Sampaio and Xutos and Pontapés. And these are just a few examples that prove that summer festivals still have a lot to show and many names to bring to our country.

The importance in the economy

That summer festivals are an important engine for the economy, of course. Just note that, in the pandemic, in 2020, the effect of cancellation of these shows had an impact of over 1.6 billion euros on the Portuguese economy.

However, it is unclear how much summer festivals give the Portuguese economy. We can say that there are thousands of millions but there are no studies that prove it. Last year, Daniel Sá, executive director of the Portuguese Institute of Marketing Administration (Ipam), even argued that the industry of music festivals in Portugal « It does not have this calculated impact, that is, there is no data for the Portuguese reality of the national impact of this set of industries».

But he recalled that some studies appear on specific festivals such as Primavera Sound. The latest data show that this festival, which takes place in Porto, last year generated five million euros of economic impact (43.4 million euros) than by 2023 (48.5 million euros) that had already exceeded 12.4 million euros the 2022 edition.

The Ipam Executive Director argued, however, that “It is easy to see, even without studies, that the amount of festivals, the diversity of locations and the number of tickets sold, we are talking about an important industry that generates direct and indirect impacts on the national economy. This is undeniable and is good news for the Portuguese economy ».

But not everyone is in favor of the importance of summer festivals and some say that Portugal has this genre of excess events. An idea that Daniel Sá rejects, even if he understands it. «The issue of excess supply is debatable»starts by saying. But explains: «This sensation is, of course. It seems that we are here three or four months in a row with festivals about each other but it must be understood that the music industry business model has changed a lot in recent years »detailing that the bands and publishers «They made money for many decades, with the sale of the albums, the CDs and, at this time, with the streaming issue, the business model was reinvented». The official also explained that the weight of live music «It has gained extraordinary importance in terms of revenue. This means that a band, to survive, has to give much more live shows today than 10, 20 or 30 years ago because it depends so much more in terms of revenues and survival ».

The explanation continues: « Industry has somehow shaped itself to ‘live’ and music, and it is possible to segment it to so many different audiences, there is always a way to feed this industry with different festivals and on top of that because it is still attracting foreign audiences, both those who are already in tourism and those who purposely come here».

It must also be taken into account that there are thousands of foreigners to come to our country to watch concerts. Something that is also important for our economy. To better illustrate the importance that foreigners give to festivals in our country, Daniel Sá gave as an example alive. «In recent years it has appeared recurrently on a top10 list, top20 of the best summer festivals in Europe. Not only for the poster you usually present but also for the package. This is not only what we consume inside the enclosure, but also out. And the outside, we have this always Portuguese experience of good food, safety, good quality, sympathy, this concept of affordable service that we have in Portugal and often more competitive and cheaper than in European terms ».

And remember: «Strange as it may seem, for an Englishman it is cheaper to go to us than Glastonbury was going (second largest open -air music festival in the world) and is at the door of the house. We continue to be a good solution »defends.