Five food businesses told The Journal that organisers took 22-23% of their revenue at All Together Now in Co Waterford last weekend, and that the same will apply at Electric Picnic later this month. Attendees flagged steep prices, with pizzas priced at about €20, a burger and chips at €18, and a can of soft drink or bottle of water costing €4 at many outlets.

Where an upfront 'pitch fee' was once the norm in Ireland, four of the biggest festivals — Electric Picnic, Kaleidoscope, Beyond the Pale and All Together Now — have over the past three years moved to a percentage model widely used in the UK, taking 22-25% of vendor takings. Vendors say those fees leave them little choice but to pass the cost on to festival-goers, from the events behind the beefed-up Electric Picnic line-up to Beyond the Pale and Kaleidoscope in Co Wicklow.