A new report from Green Music Australia suggests that extreme weather has changed punters‘ behaviour so much that festivals are in danger of collapsing.
Splendour In The Grass 2022 (Credit: Deb Kloeden)
The conversation about Australian federal and state governments stepping in to bail out music festivals has generally been an economic one.
It is tied to tourism dollars generated, a boost to economies, and contributions to local jobs and small businesses.
But a report from Green Music Australia (GMA) released this morning (April 30) contends that extreme weather has changed audience behaviour to such an extent that festivals could topple over.
Titled Rain, Heat, Repeat: How Music Fans Are Experiencing Extreme Weather, the report maintains 85 per cent of festivalgoers have experienced what they consider to be extreme weather at a music festival in the past 12 months.
It states, “This figure rises to 88 per cent for those in New South Wales and the ACT, and 87 per cent for those from Queensland. In the 18 to 25-year-old demographic, 88 per cent across the country said they had attended a music festival with extreme weather.”
The romantic notion about music festivals is that the thrill of convening with Mother Nature – the agony and the ecstasy – is a major attraction.
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But the report warns that already 13 per cent of audience members are choosing to attend fewer events, blaming extreme weather.
This is a trend that is even more pronounced among those who have recently experienced it—15 per cent vs. 6 per cent for those who haven’t.
It continues: “These worrying numbers could be set to rise further, with 34 per cent saying they are more cautious about purchasing tickets due to extreme weather.
“For frequent attendees – those who go to live music weekly – it’s even higher, at 44 per cent.”
Already, 29 per cent check the weather forecast before purchasing tickets. This figure rises to 33 per cent in SA and 40 per cent in WA.
GMA commissioned the report after more than 50 music festivals across the country were fully or partially cancelled due to extreme weather conditions since 2015.
The recent Cyclone Alfred saw 26 live music events axed in one week.
Extreme heat is what aggravates punters the most. 68 per cent said they’d suffered it at a festival in the last 12 months.
This is how it will impact the viability of a festival: 33 per cent of punters said they’d cut out from attending if the mercury rose to 35 degrees.
Climbing to 40 degrees would see 66 per cent pull the plug. When it soars to 45 degrees, 84 per cent of the crowd would become stay-at-homes.
“Meanwhile, almost half of respondents (45 per cent) have experienced heavy rain at a live event, a phenomenon which appears to impact NSW attendees (52 per cent) and Queensland attendees (51 per cent) slightly more.”
As for floods, 17 per cent experienced these at a festival in the past year, up 19 per cent for NSW.
Berish Bilander, GMA’s CEO, says: “While the live music industry has faced past crises — including the pandemic, which caused mass cancellations and economic hardship — climate change presents an ongoing and escalating challenge.
“Unlike other disruptions, extreme weather is not a one-off event, but a growing trend.
“Understanding how music audiences are responding to these changes is crucial in shaping the future of live music in Australia. Without stronger climate commitments, the future of Australia’s music festivals — and the communities they bring together — remains at risk.”
Rain, Heat, Repeat was co-authored by Associate Professor Catherine Strong, Dr Ben Green, Dr Todd Denham of RMIT, and Dr Lauren Rickards of La Trobe University.
Catherine Strong cautioned, “This research shows that the impacts of the climate crisis are already making some audience members think twice about attending festivals, and this is likely to increase as more people encounter extreme weather at events.”
The report was compiled from interviews with punters at Billie Eilish and Lime Cordiale Australian tours, as well as festivals Party In the Paddock and St Kilda Festival. Up to 1,155 attendees, aged 18 to 60+, were surveyed.
It explores how climate change and extreme weather events are impacting music audiences in Australia and influencing ticket purchasing decisions and event attendance.
Most respondents told the authors that they believe governments are failing to act. 81 per cent think Governments aren’t doing enough to protect the live music scene from climate change. Only 5% believe enough is being done.
What also alarmed the authors was that 56 per cent of festival patrons were unaware that over 50 festivals have been cancelled due to extreme weather since 2015.
Warnings are that, in addition to increased temperatures in all seasons, tropical cyclones and extreme rainfall are becoming more intense. Decreased spring and winter rainfall will also create more drought and bushfire situations in areas where festivals are usually held.
(1) Urgently phase out fossil fuel extraction, accelerating the transition to 100 per cent renewable energy, and implementing policies that align with climate science.
“Without this, adaptation measures alone will not be enough to secure the future of live music.”
(2) Elevate First Nations leadership in climate solutions. The report stressed, “First Nations peoples have been caring for Country for tens of thousands of years and have deep knowledge of sustainable land and water management.
“Governments, festival organisers, and the wider music industry must ensure that First Nations voices are central to decision-making on climate adaptation, event planning, and environmental sustainability in the sector.”
(3) Fund festivals and venues to transition to sustainable energy sources, and provide improved emergency funding for climate-related cancellations.
Other ways are policies that prioritise climate-conscious event planning, and infrastructure and services to support decarbonisation efforts, including expanded public transport options.
(4) With 34 per cent of festival-goers more cautious about purchasing tickets due to extreme weather and 29 per cent checking forecasts before committing, Rain, Heat, Repeat stresses that festival promoters must clearly communicate to patrons on weather safety plans, cancellation policies, and sustainability commitments.
It verifies that Governments and emergency services also play a crucial role in improving risk communication and lessening punters’ confusion, with improved coordination and decision-making frameworks.”
(5) Invest in heat shelters, shaded areas, flood-resistant staging, and accessible water refill stations for festival sites.
(6) Introduce consumer protections for ticket holders by ensuring that expanded flexible refund policies, ticket insurance, and rescheduling guarantees are in place.
(7) Continue the work of Rain, Heat, Repeat in further research on the climate crisis’s impact on music audiences.
The authors point out, “Further research is needed into regional differences, long-term trends, and the specific challenges faced by artists, venues, and event organisers—both at festivals and across indoor and outdoor live music settings.
“Collaboration between governments, the music industry, and climate experts will be essential in developing lasting solutions.
“The time for action is now. Without stronger climate commitments, the future of Australia’s music festivals—and the communities they bring together—remains at risk.”
© 2025 The Music Press Pty Ltd
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