Re: there are other factors at play

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Dwindling ticket sales and cancellations: What's behind the decline of
music festivals

Music festivals are facing a crisis.

On the brink of what should be another exciting summer festival
season, dozens of music festivals are shutting down.

The trend has been simmering for years -- the longstanding Pitchfork
Music Festival in Chicago isn't returning this summer, following
similar announcements last year from Atlanta's Music Midtown and
Kickoff Jam in Florida. Meanwhile, festivals like Jay-Z's Made in
America festival and Delaware's Firefly Music Festival haven't
returned since 2022.

This year, more than 40 festivals have already been canceled,
according to one count.
...
Some blame the spate of cancellations on changing tastes; others point
to the lack of curiosity from younger generations (why pay to see a
bunch of acts you haven't heard of?). And, of course, there's a
general belt tightening overall.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/01/entertainment/music-festivals-cancellations-pitchfork-cec