Capacity increase

[perfectpassion]

Do not confuse increased capacity and ticket sales with increased profits..Just read this on "Insight" Bigger is not always better.... This is quite sad for independent festivals

DESPITE A record attendance and an expanded, re-designed site, Oxfordshire’s Truck festival failed to make a profit this year, are unable to pay the festival’s creditors, and say if they are unable to pay off its losses, the festival will end.

The 14-year-old event, which was headlined by Bellowhead, Radiohead’s Philip Selway, Blur guitarist Graham Coxon, pop-dance act St Etienne, pop-punk band The Young Knives and comedian Richard Herring.

However, many of the acts have not been paid, and co-founder Robin Bennett told the Oxford Mail there is a “major hole” in the company’s finances.

He said: “Things are still a little unclear, but the situation is not looking good. Our revenue has not been adequate to cover the cost of this year’s event and we have been left with a major hole.

“We are a small family business and we cannot sustain that kind of loss, and are now reaching out to find a method of dealing with it.”

He added: “We didn’t have enough full-price ticket holders, and bar and food spending, which we hoped would make a contribution to profits, wasn’t high.

“But the market this year is dire. There are just too many festivals.”

[zahidf]

Do not confuse increased capacity and ticket sales with increased profits..Just read this on "Insight" Bigger is not always better.... This is quite sad for independent festivals

DESPITE A record attendance and an expanded, re-designed site, Oxfordshire’s Truck festival failed to make a profit this year, are unable to pay the festival’s creditors, and say if they are unable to pay off its losses, the festival will end.

The 14-year-old event, which was headlined by Bellowhead, Radiohead’s Philip Selway, Blur guitarist Graham Coxon, pop-dance act St Etienne, pop-punk band The Young Knives and comedian Richard Herring.

However, many of the acts have not been paid, and co-founder Robin Bennett told the Oxford Mail there is a “major hole” in the company’s finances.

He said: “Things are still a little unclear, but the situation is not looking good. Our revenue has not been adequate to cover the cost of this year’s event and we have been left with a major hole.

“We are a small family business and we cannot sustain that kind of loss, and are now reaching out to find a method of dealing with it.”

He added: “We didn’t have enough full-price ticket holders, and bar and food spending, which we hoped would make a contribution to profits, wasn’t high.

“But the market this year is dire. There are just too many festivals.”

[SweepingTheNation]

It got a "record attendance" because they put 3,000 extra on capacity, making it 8,000. Even after that it only made more than 5,000 on the gate (and some doubt that) after the £99 weekend tickets were offered for £40 in the few days leading up to the festival.

[perfectpassion]

I don't think anyone said that increased capacity would ruin the festival! Some people think it will improve it if it is more "rammed" and others (me included) loved the fact that it was small. It sounds like even if Truck had sold out they would still have been in difficulties which is a shame.

[possum]

Yeah was at the first one. What i mean is, when Joanna Newsome is on, no one else is and there's 10,000 people there. Just don't think it's right that there is no other music on the other stages at this time that's all.

[Joe_the_Great]

Don't forget everyone are also "forced" to watch Zola Jesus as well.

I'm not even mentioning those bloody DJs!

[ALSW123]

Can't really compare. Truck didn't sell out, End of the Road has. If the extra few thousand ruin the festival ( Which i doubt myself) then they should worry...

[perfectpassion]

Why aren't people complaining that there's nothing else on when White Denim are playing on Friday night? Honestly, get a grip. If you don't like JN then go and do something else instead. Maybe get together somewhere to complain that it's not fair. Or go home early.

Edited August 16, 2011 by perfectpassion

[GeordieMartin]

Why aren't people complaining that there's nothing else on when White Denim are playing on Friday night? Honestly, get a grip. If you don't like JN then go and do something else instead. Maybe get together somewhere to complain that it's not fair. Or go home early.

[ljsawyer]

More bad news for Truck: http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/headlines/9191840.Company_behind_Truck_Festival_goes_into_liquidation/

A massive shame as I've been the past two years and had a really good time. Saw loads of good bands this year (Edwyn Collins, John Grant and The Duke & The King were incredible) although I guess people are right about the acts not getting any bigger despite the increase in capacity and ticket price. Still, I was more than happy with what I got for the £80 I paid and hopefully it'll be back under a different name next year or in a few years time.

Why aren't people complaining that there's nothing else on when White Denim are playing on Friday night? Honestly, get a grip. If you don't like JN then go and do something else instead. Maybe get together somewhere to complain that it's not fair. Or go home early.

Edited August 15, 2011 by ljsawyer

[seadragon]

I beg your pardon? When we pay £145 for a ticket and god knows what else on beer/food etc then i'm entitled to ask why there is no other bands on (it seems) when the headlines are on. I don't want to go home early nor do i want to see Joanna Newsome. My personal opinion (you obviously have a different one) is that there should be other bands to see when the headliners are on, what's wrong with that? It is a musical festival after all. I'm not bothered about seeing a movie or seeing any comedy at these times, i go to the festival for music and all i'm asking is there to be an alternative when the headliners are on, there always has been in the previous years and given the extra numbers this year i'd say it's more of a reason to have some other music during these times. Hopefully there will be. So please, be a little less confrontational in what you're saying, i'm not asking for much. Thank you.

[Joe_the_Great]

What you are arguing about is no difference to Zola Jesus or White Denim. Both slots have no other bands on etc. And as someone else said, its more than likely they will have something at the tipi that go on till early hours after the last act. Finally the views on this forum represent maybe 1% of the total goers

[swashbubbler]

What you are arguing about is no difference to Zola Jesus or White Denim. Both slots have no other bands on etc. And as someone else said, its more than likely they will have something at the tipi that go on till early hours after the last act. Finally the views on this forum represent maybe 1% of the total goers

[LittleFellas]

I beg your pardon? When we pay £145 for a ticket and god knows what else on beer/food etc then i'm entitled to ask why there is no other bands on (it seems) when the headlines are on. I don't want to go home early nor do i want to see Joanna Newsome. My personal opinion (you obviously have a different one) is that there should be other bands to see when the headliners are on, what's wrong with that? It is a musical festival after all. I'm not bothered about seeing a movie or seeing any comedy at these times, i go to the festival for music and all i'm asking is there to be an alternative when the headliners are on, there always has been in the previous years and given the extra numbers this year i'd say it's more of a reason to have some other music during these times. Hopefully there will be. So please, be a little less confrontational in what you're saying, i'm not asking for much. Thank you.

[seadragon]

Why don't you just curate your own festival, put on only the bands that you want to watch at the exact time you want them to play, and then maybe you'll be happy.

Either that, or why don't you just stay at home instead of going and then lots of people will be happy.

What's the point of going with such a miserable attitude?

[GeordieMartin]

Wow I really hope the increase in capacity hasn't been to make way for rude, confrontational people such as yourself and possum to attend

Can I suggest you might want to have a little bit of a read around here before you come in shouting your mouth off and insulting people, claiming to be speaking on behalf of others and generally making an arse of yourself? If you had bothered to read this thread, which incidentally is titled 'capacity increase' and therefore contains discussion about just that, then you'd see that no-one is arguing, simply voicing their concern which they have every right to do.

[perfectpassion]

I keep thinking if Ben the pacifist was here he would be giving everyone a good talking to and telling us all to calm down, and then writing such a long post that we lost the plot completly. Sorry I know this isnt about capacity increase, but then I started it by moaning about it.

So lets see..... In the magical land of Lamarnia never before has a headline been given a very special slot devoid of any other lovely music. The Princess is so wonderful and luminous that her followers are joyous at this news, and indeed many more will follow them into the magic kingdom.

Some people, including an old person, cannot understand what all the fuss is about. They had wanted to leave the land singing, dancing and feeling happy. But in the face of such lovliness they realise, or are told by "the Great One" that they are indeed not special, but mere specks of dust falling to the floor in the wake of the wondorous light that the Princess generates.

The old lady feels sad, and wonders if she will even be allowed to talk in the slumber area during the princesses performance, she wonders what has happened to the elf and the witch and the man with the waving arms, and she wonders if indeed the sound of the Lovely Princess had caused such distress that the magic land of Lamarnia will never be the same again.

Edited August 16, 2011 by perfectpassion

[Yokel Again]

The increase in capacity is a worry for me, but I'm staying positive as I'm sure that it will still be fab, as I've faith the organisers.

What is really annoying me is not knowing where the Woods Stage is.. just cos I love the Garden Stage setting, and think it would be a real shame if the new main stage was along the lines of 'typical stage just sat in the middle of any old field'.

[possum]

Wow I really hope the increase in capacity hasn't been to make way for rude, confrontational people such as yourself and possum to attend

Can I suggest you might want to have a little bit of a read around here before you come in shouting your mouth off and insulting people, claiming to be speaking on behalf of others and generally making an arse of yourself?

[geofelgie]

God there's been some guff written on here the last couple of days.....

Try and sort some of it out

Simon said "8,500" adults.....which fits in fine with 10,000 tickets including Youth, Children, babies etc.

"Official capacity" always includes everyone on site, stewards, traders, bands, guests, St johns amb, etc etc.....and is always the absolute maximum they are allowed at any one time.....so always includes some margin as they can't do headcounts all the time.

My guess is the Official Capacity has been 10,000 for the past couple of years - Although - If it was 7,000 tickets last year - my guess is there was something around 9,000 actually there. If it was 7,000 ADULTS last year - then 10,000 would've been about spot on.

The whole Sunday night thing is beginning to nark me.....In previous years the Garden Stage and Big Top have both ended at 11pm on the Sunday (in fact I think the big top may have been 10:45).

This year Joanna Newsom is finishing at 12 - now admittedly the garden and big top are finishing slightly earlier - but who knows if there'll be encores, etc....

....so what you're effectively moaning about is not been given an alternative to what is essentially an extra hour..........which has to be because her stuff is so quiet.

Sue - you said about there being late night Tipi sets on Fri and Sat but NOT Sun - is this based on info I've not heard?????????? Because I was definitely there, listening to Woodpigeon, at 2am last year!!!

[Joe_the_Great]

God there's been some guff written on here the last couple of days.....

Try and sort some of it out

Simon said "8,500" adults.....which fits in fine with 10,000 tickets including Youth, Children, babies etc.

"Official capacity" always includes everyone on site, stewards, traders, bands, guests, St johns amb, etc etc.....and is always the absolute maximum they are allowed at any one time.....so always includes some margin as they can't do headcounts all the time.

My guess is the Official Capacity has been 10,000 for the past couple of years - Although - If it was 7,000 tickets last year - my guess is there was something around 9,000 actually there. If it was 7,000 ADULTS last year - then 10,000 would've been about spot on.

The whole Sunday night thing is beginning to nark me.....In previous years the Garden Stage and Big Top have both ended at 11pm on the Sunday (in fact I think the big top may have been 10:45).

This year Joanna Newsom is finishing at 12 - now admittedly the garden and big top are finishing slightly earlier - but who knows if there'll be encores, etc....

....so what you're effectively moaning about is not been given an alternative to what is essentially an extra hour..........which has to be because her stuff is so quiet.

Sue - you said about there being late night Tipi sets on Fri and Sat but NOT Sun - is this based on info I've not heard?????????? Because I was definitely there, listening to Woodpigeon, at 2am last year!!!

[perfectpassion]

Sorry Geof I may be wrong,oh hell I was trying not to be misunderstood... I was under the impression that there was nothing on when JN is playing, as opposed to White Denim and Zola Jesus when there must be stuff in the Tipi. That what I meant. Not that there is nothing all evening on sunday in the Tipi...arghhhh

Edited August 16, 2011 by perfectpassion

[Maoster]

To be honest, the lack of alternative for JN etc doesn't really bother me. What does bother me is the complete lack of communication from the organisers about (1) how the capacity this years compares to previous (is it really 12,500 versus 7,500 versus 5,000?)and (2) where the hell the new stage is going to be. Lack of information leads to rumours and worry - will it be the same atmosphere/culture as before? (I have been to every one so far). Bit of factual info would fill the void and at least we would all know, just cannot understand why it's not happened, as comms have been great in previous years.

So am really looking forward to EOTR but just can't get rid of this nagging worry...............

[geofelgie]

(1) how the capacity this years compares to previous (is it really 12,500 versus 7,500 versus 5,000?)

[GeordieMartin]

NO!

Bangs head on wall, gazes at the ceiling and prays for the day some bug wipes out the human race.