Fringe stinge: Performer says ‘it’s never felt harder’ than this year’s festival

A well-known performer says 2025 has been a “f**king tough” year at the Fringe, and revealed what artists really make from a show.

A well-known Fringe performer has revealed the harsh reality of the 2025 festival saying, “this year has felt really f**king tough”.

Taking to Facebook on Wednesday, Ben Francis blamed the rising cost-of-living for affecting ticket sales – likening the crisis to a “bull charging through an antique store”.

“I don’t think it has ever felt harder to get people through the door to a show,” Francis, who is a performer in and producer of what’s been dubbed Australia’s No. 1 tribute act, The 60 Four, wrote.

“A ticket, a drink, maybe a meal and transport, all adds up (and) people just don’t have the disposable income they used to.”

Ben Francis (second from left) is a producer and performer in tribute act The 60 Four. Picture: Jamois/Jamie Hornsby

The Fringe will run until Sunday, March 23, and Francis said “every independent artist is fighting the same fight right now”.

“Ticket prices are rising because costs are rising, especially when artists often only see 50 per cent of the advertised price.”

“The whole festival ecosystem – food trucks, bars, restaurants – is being tested.”

Francis further said artists had to compete for ticket sales in a “saturated market”, and labelled Mad March a “festival fever dream”.

Francis labelled Mad March a “festival fever dream”. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe

He said artists had to compete for ticket sales in a “saturated market”. Picture: Brenton Edwards

And the volume of choice for ticket sales in March was “overwhelming”. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

“Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival, WOMADelaide, Adelaide Cup, Writers’ Week, the Adelaide Motorsport Festival … and more,” he wrote.

“With so much on, people either put off decisions or opt out entirely. The sheer volume of choice is overwhelming.”

Despite his comments, Ella Huisman, executive director of audience for the Adelaide Fringe, said this year’s ticket sales were “just ahead” of the same time last year.

“Ticket sales have reached 841,000 so far,” she said.

“With only 10 days left, we encourage everyone to get out, buy tickets, and make the most of the final stretch of Fringe before it’s gone.”

In 2024, Fringe ticket sales generated $27 million in box office revenue. That was up from the $25.1 million revenue generated in 2023.

This year’s figures are yet to be released.

The Fringe takes a five per cent cut from ticket sales – with artists also responsible for their marketing costs, venue hire, accommodation and living expenses.

The cost breakdown has left previous year’s artists claiming they’ve lost money to participate.

But Adelaide Fringe programs and development executive director Jo O’Callaghan said the festival was “deeply committed to supporting artists”.

“Particularly as they navigate the challenges of the current cost-of-living crisis,” she said.

“Adelaide Fringe has worked hard to keep costs down for artists, with registration fees remaining unchanged for over 20 years and significant reductions to inside charges, ensuring that artists retain more from their ticket sales than they did a decade ago.”

Francis is a producer and performer in The 60 Four. He encouraged arts lovers to “buy the ticket”. Picture: Daniel Marks

Another struggle facing performers, Francis said, was marketing and audience engagement.

“More and more people are buying last-minute, making ticket sales wildly unpredictable.

“A show can be sitting at 30 per cent a week out and suddenly fill up – or not.

“That kind of uncertainty is brutal for artists who rely on pre-sales to budget for their run.”

He issued a call to arms for fans of the festival to buy tickets to the remainder of the Fringe.

“If you love live performance, if you value the arts, support it. And support it early.

“Buy the ticket.”

Scores of people flocked to the comments section in agreement.

“The cost-of-living is impacting so many in ways that people simply haven’t prepared for … and it’s overwhelming,” one user wrote.

Others agreed Mad March increased competition for ticket sales.

“Spread the fun across the year,” one person wrote

“The length of Adelaide Fringe this year means it goes over six weekends. It’s been very hot. People are spent – emotionally, energetically, financially, time wise,” wrote another.