Scots music festival among most expensive in UK amid concerns over 'value for money'
Scotland festival-goers "should consider what they value most in their experience" because events are not cheap
Festival season is nearly upon us and many Scots are gearing up for the music event of their choice. From Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival to Glasgow and Edinburgh Summer Sessions, we are totally spoiled for choice this summer.
However, there is no escaping the fact that arts events are costly. Between food, drink, transport, and festival tickets themselves, music lovers can find themselves hundreds of pounds out of pocket before even seeing an act.
In fact, a new study has revealed that a hugely popular music festival in Scotland is the ninth-most expensive music event in the UK. TRNSMT, which takes place over three days in Glasgow Green every July, is the pricey festival in question.
TRNSMT charges £89.50 per day, according to research by online casino guide CritiqueJeu, which examined ticket prices for over 300 UK festivals scheduled in 2025, calculating the cost per day based on the minimum ticket price.
The music extravaganza, organised by DF Concerts, boasts 50 Cent, The Script, Snow Patrol, and Biffy Clyro among its line-up this year. It has become the country's biggest festival since T in the Park wrapped up in 2016.
"Seeing the variation in cost for these festivals can lead to a 'something for everyone' ideal," Paul LENGLET, co-founder and editor of CritiqueJeu, said on the findings.
"However, with the cost of living still high and the UK public suffering from hits to their wallets, it's time to question whether the festivals are giving value for money."
A general admission day ticket currently costs £89.50 from the TRNSMT website, while a full weekend job costs £249.50. There are also options to snap up two day tickets at varying prices.
Elsewhere, Leeds Festival and Reading Festival, both happening in August, share first place as the UK's most expensive festivals based on the minimum day ticket price.
These events, which typically feature similar line-ups across their separate locations, require £125 for a single day's attendance.
BST Hyde Park ranked second most expensive at £101.95 per day. However, it comes with the advantage of a central London location and typically A-list headliners. The event runs from June 27 to July 13, 2025.
If you're looking for a festival with multi-day camping and a diverse lineup, Homestead Festival, which was ranked third among all events at £100 per day, is a popular option.
The festival takes place from July 18-20, 2025 at Fernhill Farm in Somerset.
Parklife Weekender is fourth at £97.70 per day, scheduled for June 8 and 9, 2025 in Manchester. Meanwhile, Bloodstock, known for its heavy metal focus and devoted fan base, ranked fifth on the price index at £96 per day.
In general, the study found a huge price gap between the most expensive and most affordable options.
While Leeds and Reading charge £125 per day, Swanage Blues festival costs just £3.75 daily, Live on the Wye £3.50, and Chester Folk Festival £3.25. These budget-friendly options cost over 97 per cent less than the premium events.
"Festival-goers should consider what they value most in their experience," Paul added.
"The headline acts and production values at Leeds and Reading justify their premium pricing for many attendees.
"But the amenities on offer are often basic portable toilets and junk food stands. Whereas, smaller events often offer more distinctive atmospheres and community connections that appeal to different audiences.'
Top 10 most expensive UK festivals in 2025 (cost per day)
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Raging Scots DJ sparked pool hall brawl after someone mocked his haircut
He brushed off the comments until the unknown man mentioned his deceased father BAR CLASH RAP Raging Scots DJ sparked pool hall brawl after someone mocked his haircut Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A DJ sparked a pool hall brawl after someone made fun of his haircut. Brandon Ross, 23, struck the unknown man with a cue and punched him after raging at being on the end of 'playground banter' about his 'Prince Charming' hairstyle by the man and his friends. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 First offender Ross pleaded guilty today at Glasgow Sheriff Court Credit: john kirkby News group newspapers 2 DJ Brandon Ross caused a pool hall Grammy when someone slagged off his new hair cut Credit: Spindrift The insults then became more personal after the man allegedly made a comment about Ross's dead father. Ross's initial attack erupted in a greater fight which left him in hospital with injuries to his face and hand. First offender Ross pleaded guilty today at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assaulting the man at Glasgow city centre's Reardon's on August 12, 2024. The court heard that Ross was with friends while the unknown man and his acquaintances were at another pool table. Prosecutor Darren Harty stated that a 'disagreement' had taken place between both parties. He said: 'As a result, Ross struck the unknown man with a pool cue to the side of the body in the hip region. 'He thereafter punched him which collided with his face. 'A further much bigger fight then occurred as a result of that after which Ross was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.' Stephanie Grieve, defending, told the court that Ross was hit with two glasses in the melee. This resulted in a wound to his left ear and damage to tendons in his right hand. Woman loses battle with sisters to keep mum's £420k home for her 'therapy' dogs The lawyer added: 'My client's friends laughed about something the unknown man had said. 'A disagreement took place which resulted in playground insults which included about Mr Ross' Prince Charming hair and socks he was wearing which went on for 30 minutes. 'He brushed it off until there was a comment made about his deceased father. 'He works as a DJ and has had to reduce his work from six nights a week to two nights a week.' Sheriff David Clapham denied Miss Grieve her initial request for an absolute discharge which would have seen the offence scrubbed from Ross's criminal record. The sheriff said: 'When you heard the comments, you should have left. 'Hitting someone with a pool cue is quite wrong and it is also quite wrong that you followed this up with a punch.' Ross, of the city's Mount Vernon, was fined £320.
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘I don't give a s*** what people think' – Scots golf star in foul-mouthed blast at on-course critics
ROBERT MACINTYRE is known for wearing his heart on his sleeve - and many love him for it. For some, it just rubs them up the wrong way. But MacIntyre? He couldn't care LESS what they think. Advertisement 2 Robert MacIntyre is defending his Canadian Open title this week Credit: Reuters 2 And the Ryder Cup hopeful has had a few choice words for his critics Credit: Getty The Scots golf star is defending his Canadian Open title on the PGA Tour this week. MacIntyre, 28, won the tournament last year in emotional style with his father Dougie drafted in as his emergency caddie. The victory was the Oban lefty's first on the elite circuit but it wasn't a straightforward one. Minus the last minute caddie switch, MacIntyre also lost his cool somewhat at a drone that flew over his head before taking a shot. Advertisement MacIntyre isn't one to hide his feelings and on other occasions in his career he's been caught swearing on camera whilst playing. And he infamously called for the iconic 17th hole at St Andrews (the Road Hole) to be "blown up" - which led to fellow pro Eddie Pepperell labelling him as "whiney". Ahead of this title defence, MacIntyre was asked about those who think he is perhaps too passionate and should do more to keep his emotions in check. He responded: "Most of time I don't give a s*** about what's going on. Advertisement "I really don't care about other people's opinions, to be honest with you. "If you're not part of my team, not part of the inner circle, your opinion really doesn't matter to me. "I think that's a massive thing, especially in the sport we play. I think it helps when you're trying to move forward, you're trying to dissect every part of the game to try and get better. "If you take too many opinions in that really aren't trying to help you, then, yeah, it doesn't help at all. Advertisement I think something I like is I don't really care about what others think outside of my team and my friends or my family." This year the Canadian Open is taking place TPC Toronto, as opposed to Hamilton Golf and Country Club where MacIntyre won last year. And while the venue for the event has changed, MacIntyre has still felt a warmth from the Canadian fans - even though he denied them a home winner 12 months ago. "Last year it was special, but to come back to a place that I've got fond memories of, obviously it's a different golf course, but as a place, as a country, with the fans as well. Advertisement "The support I got was unbelievable, all the way until Sunday afternoon when they were obviously wanting a Canadian (MacKenzie Hughes) to win!" Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The National
4 hours ago
- The National
Plenty of Scottish heroics in May, both home and abroad
Welcome to our new free newsletter celebrating all that is going well in Scotland! Subscribe using the banner above. I THINK we could all learn a thing or two from Hiroshi Suzuki. The Japanese ambassador to the UK visited Scotland in May, including official meetings with the First Minister and the Presiding Office. But he also took to some tourist hotspots in Edinburgh, and partook in some Scottish delicacies, joking at one point that he had eaten some Tunnock's teacakes "for breakfast". In a video posted on social media, he could also be seen trying Haggis and a dram of whisky, which he said he "enjoyed". "It's fantastic!" he added, with a thumbs up to the camera. It's Suzuki's boundless optimism that has made him a viral social media star. And perhaps we can all take a leaf out of that book. And so, on that note, our positive stories in Scotland in May. First up, I always love to see Scots thriving abroad. And last month, you can look no further than footballer Scott McTominay (below). The Scotland international is a literal hero in Naples after his instrumental role in helping Napoli FC to their fourth ever Serie A title. Crowned as the whole league's player of the season, the streets of Naples were literally draped in saltires and graffiti of the man they now call 'McFratm' – or McBro. He even met the pope (above)! On the more cultural side, a Scottish director's film set during the Highland Clearances has also made waves at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Ian Gordon, from Fife, travelled to the internationally renowned film festival in France to promote his fantasy adventure movie, The Gudeman, where he learnt to build animatronic 'creatures' from scratch. And people working in the film industry from around the world were blown away at the festival by the dramatic scenery of the Highlands, which provides the backdrop for his adventure. As they should! I was also pleased to hear Edinburgh is now home to Europe's first museum of contemporary Palestinian art. The Palestine Museum in Scotland features work from a range of Palestinian artists showcasing paintings, sculptures and installations. The museum aims to counteract the 'dehumanisation' of the Palestinian people by illustrating their culture and narrative through art. I mentioned it will be opening in my last newsletter but it is now open for business. I am yet to visit but my colleague, Laura, said it was deeply moving. In business news, the UK's only female-founded wave energy company has secured more than half a million in funding to scale up its technology. Aberdeen-based ZOEX secured £531,000 in funding including investment from Equity Gap, one of Scotland's leading angel investment syndicates, Strathclyde University and Scottish Enterprise. Founded by entrepreneur, CEO Ash Penley (above), ZOEX aims to replace diesel generators with "clean, cost-effective wave power". While I understand Scotland's fishing industry isn't best pleased by the new UK-EU deal governing post-Brexit arrangements, I was heartened to see some positive movements. For example, while a return to freedom of movement has frustratingly been ruled out by Labour, they have agreed to look at a limited scheme aimed at young people. The UK rejoining the Erasmus+ scheme, which sees students do part of their degree at an institution abroad, is also floated in the deal. If finalised, this would be a win for young Scots. If there's anything you think should be included, please don't hesitate to ping me an email:
