Analyst warns of mid-tier festival vulnerability
Bernstein's Annick Maas said biggest brands and niche events can withstand current headwinds, leaving the sector's mid-level exposed
News By Ciaran Donnelly | 21 May 2026
Europe’s festival market is entering a period of polarisation, with only the largest brands and niche events primed to withstand headwinds in the sector, a leading industry analyst has said.
Annick Maas, Bernstein media and internet research analyst, said the biggest tool for festivals to withstand the obstacles facing the sector, including combination of rising costs, shifting demographics, and increasingly volatile artist fees, is the ability to sell tickets before announcing a line-up. This, she said, gives events the…