Attendance at Pori Jazz Festival Declines Sharply as Weather Impacts Ticket Sales

Last night, at the concert of the electronic music group Kraftwerk during the Pori Jazz festival, attendance at the main events was noticeably lower compared to last year. The 2024 Pori Jazz main concerts attracted 32,000 visitors, a sharp decline from last year’s impressive 61,500.

Sampsa Jolma, the festival director, acknowledged the shortfall, expressing a desire for higher attendance at the main concerts. The Pet Shop Boys, who performed on Thursday, drew the best advance ticket sales, yet gate sales were significantly impacted by rain.

The extraordinary lineup last year, featuring high-profile artists like Robbie Williams, posed a substantial financial investment. This year, the festival returned to what Jolma termed a “normal level” in line with its history. Total summer attendance, including free concerts, was 183,350 in 2023, dropping to 127,000 this year.

Despite facing several years of losses, including a reported €370,000 deficit last year, Jolma remained optimistic about the future of Pori Jazz. Although precise financial figures won’t be available until the end of August, he anticipated another loss for this year but reassured that this would not threaten the festival’s sustainability. “The Pori Jazz will continue,” he stated, noting that while audiences may change, there will always be ways to organize the event.

The decision to restrict the main concerts to those aged 18 and older sparked considerable discussion beforehand. Nonetheless, attendees found the change practical as it removed certain drinking areas, leading to easier movement across the venue and more space in front of the main stage. The festival has traditionally emphasized picnic culture, and visitors were encouraged to leave their blankets in front of the main stage even while exploring other areas.