Title: Rising Costs and Innovative Experiences: Defqon.1 Festival Explores the Challenges Faced by Organizers
Subtitle: Despite Increasing Prices, Defqon.1 Continues to Thrive with Unique Offerings
Date: June 24, 2023
From entrance tickets to bus journeys and from drinks to extra activities, the cost of attending festivals continues to rise. However, the question remains: is a weekend at a festival still as enjoyable as before? NU.nl recently visited Defqon.1, the largest dance festival in the Netherlands, to explore this issue.
The festival kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony on Friday afternoon, featuring a colossal stage, hard claps, rousing melodies, colored smoke, flames, and confetti. Despite the higher prices this year, with weekend tickets being over 30 euros more expensive and a beer costing 3.80 euros, attendees seemed unfazed.
Sander Bijlstra, the director of organizer Q-dance, acknowledged the painful nature of these price increases. He explained that while they try to be creative in managing costs, they also have to consider the financial needs of their young target audience and ensure that all workers are adequately compensated.
Berend Schans, director of the Dutch Poppodia and Festivals Association, highlighted the increasing complexity and expenses associated with organizing festivals. He emphasized that passing on all costs to the public is not feasible, and the growing number of regulations often leads to additional legal expenses.
While smaller festivals face challenges to stay afloat, larger events like Defqon.1, Lowlands, and the Zwarte Cross continue to thrive. Despite the rising costs, the demand for these festivals remains high. However, people are becoming more selective about where they spend their money.
Hidde, a 22-year-old festivalgoer, admitted to making more careful choices than four years ago but still considers Defqon.1 a must-attend event. He emphasized the unique experience of enjoying a diverse lineup of artists, the vibrant atmosphere, and the overall party ambiance that cannot be replicated in a club setting.
Defqon.1 is known for its playful and exuberant ideas. The festival introduced the POWER HOUR in 2016, which has become a permanent tradition. This energetic show features confetti, inflatable animals, and a crowd that jumps in unison. This year, the festival introduced the Defqon.1 Theater, where popular act Sefa performed fifteen shows for a small audience.
However, not everyone was pleased with this arrangement. Visitors had to purchase a separate ticket for 15 euros to attend Sefa’s shows, and he was not scheduled to perform anywhere else during the weekend. Some attendees expressed disappointment, recalling Sefa’s previous performances on the mainstage with a full orchestra. They believed that such performances should be included in the general admission ticket.
Bijlstra explained that an intimate show like Sefa’s cannot accommodate all visitors. The separate ticketing was implemented to ensure that attendees who genuinely wanted to experience the show could do so without waiting in long lines. He added that if the show had been organized as a separate event outside of Defqon.1, the ticket price might have been as high as 100 euros.
One of the highlights of Defqon.1 was Sefa’s performance, which went beyond a typical DJ set. Visitors were led into a circular dining room reminiscent of the Efteling theme park. The frenchcore DJ played classical pieces of music, accompanied by other artists, and engaged the audience in an interactive experience. The room vibrated with hard bass thumps as the DJ played various instruments amidst a dazzling light display.
Schans emphasized that such innovative experiences help festivals maintain their relevance. Professional organizations with strong brands and a diverse range of activities tend to fare better than those relying heavily on volunteers for an annual event.
Bijlstra, who canceled the Qapital party to focus more on Defqon and Qlimax, emphasized the importance of staying distinctive and true to one’s passion. Despite the economic challenges, he expressed excitement about bringing unique shows and playful experiences to the festival, acknowledging that it requires both time and financial investment.
The impact of these experiences was evident in the emotions of attendees like Juan and Becca, who traveled all the way from Los Angeles to see Sefa’s performance. Overwhelmed with tears of joy, they expressed their awe at the unique act, highlighting the rarity of such intimate performances in the US.
As festival costs continue to rise, organizers face the challenge of striking a balance between affordability and providing exceptional experiences. Defqon.1’s ability to adapt, innovate, and offer distinctive shows demonstrates its resilience in an increasingly competitive market.
Photo: Fabian Melchers
How does Defqon.1 festival cater to endees who want a more exclusive and immersive experience compared to regular attendees?
Endees who truly wanted to see Sefa could have a more exclusive and immersive experience. He also assured that even with the separate ticket, the festival still offers plenty of other free performances and activities for all attendees.
Overall, despite the rising costs, Defqon.1 festival continues to thrive with its innovative experiences and unique offerings. While some attendees may be more selective about where they spend their money, the demand for large-scale festivals like Defqon.1 remains high. The festival organizers acknowledge the challenges they face in managing costs while providing an unforgettable experience for their target audience.
As the costs of festivals continue to rise, it’s crucial to ask ourselves if the fun we have is truly worth the price tag.
While festivals offer exciting experiences, their increasing costs raise concerns about affordability. It’s important to ponder if the fun justifies the steep price tags.