No superpowers on display: ticket offices cannot remain hermetic to inflation. As in all sectors, the public must accept being affected by the phenomenon. Which would not necessarily make him back down on certain appointments. “This year we see a full box of Zeniths. And yet, places are expensive”says Sébastien Hamard, head of Nuits Carrées, evoking this enthusiasm in a context of crisis: “It means that the spectators are ready to take this step to see the headliner they want.”
But what about the festivals of the Côte d’Azur, in particular for those which offer a part of discovery in their programming?
As for the Pointu Festival, the changeover took place last year. “Before, we were a completely free event. Faced with the increase in costs already present in 2022, the municipality of Six-Fours has chosen to make the event chargeable”recalls Vincent Lechat, programming director, who did not see the island of Gaou being deserted after this decision.
The thirsty clink glasses: the refreshment bar increases its prices
“In free, we reached 17,000 spectators in total, last year, 12,000 made the trip.” The trend for the 2023 edition? “On the 17th day of sale, we are at 65% of last year’s revenue.” Rather engaging!
Increase ticket prices? “We already did it last summer with an increase of two, three euros”says Stéphane Poirrier, within the 100% volunteer team of the Néoules Festival: “So this time it’s the beer that’s targeted.” A few extra pennies to quench your thirst for organic hops. A way to ensure a balance. Whether on the lands of the Var or the Riviera, the trend is on the rise. Like at the Electronic Beaches in Cannes, which are changing the average price of their entry from 46 to 54 euros, with the promise of offering more.
Others, like Urban Colors, in La Seyne-sur-Mer, are betting on maintaining the same pricing policy as before. Witness its founder, Beligh Guezah: “This is part of the festival’s DNA. We take the side of not passing on the increase to the public with our gauge which goes from 3,000 to 5,000 people, since we are changing location to return to the Marine esplanade.”
For its 62nd edition, Jazz à Juan is not departing from its golden square – seats at the highest price to be closer to the stage (count 110 euros for the Nile Rodgers & CHIC evening). A policy defended by Philippe Baute, director of the Antibes-Juan-les-Pins tourist office, organizer of the event: “It is also thanks to this pricing that we can offer tickets at a reduced rate to students and young people at the same concert.” The reduced rate is 25 euros for this famous July 18: “Overall, we are on an average of 70.75 euros for a ticket. There is a limit not to be crossed and we are aware of it.”