Audiences NI - Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s Review by Arts Matter NI

Audiences Northern Ireland Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: Online Review, 2014

November 2014

Overview Brief

To analyse responses to the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s 2014 survey, conducted in November 2014.

With this in mind, and in consultation with Audiences Northern Ireland, a suitable questionnaire was developed in response to the Festival’s identified research needs. The survey was then scripted on Survey Monkey and an online link was generated for distribution through the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s existing mailing lists, social media and on their website. The online survey link remained live for three weeks with responses collected through Survey Monkey for analysis by Audiences NI. Methodology An incentive of the chance to win one of two overnight stays in the Europa Hotel was offered to encourage completion. In total, 704 people responded to the 2014 Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s Survey, however, initial screening questions were included to assess the respondents’ eligibility to complete the questionnaire and 699 were aged 16 and over (and therefore eligible for the survey).

Response Rates

While 699 respondents started the survey, not everyone answered every question. Some respondents chose to skip certain questions, while automatic routing was used to ensure that irrelevant questions were not being asked to respondents. The source question and respondent count is included under each set of results. Where respondents have provided a text-based ‘Other’ response, this count has been deducted from the total and the remaining results have been re-based. All ‘Other’ responses are listed in Appendix One. An estimated 58,611 people attended UBBFQ in 2014, with approximately 36,539 attending non-ticketed events and a further 1,474 for the education and outreach programme, ‘Embrace’. 20,942 received this survey link. If this survey has returned a representative sample of festival attenders then these results would have a maximum margin of error of +/- 3.7% (see page 4 for more details).

Contents Page 2

Brief, Methodology & Response Rates

Section Three: Rating the Festival

Page 3

Contents

Pages 46-53

Overall satisfaction

Page 4-5

Sampling Error and Recall Error

Page 54-57

Music Club

Page 6-8

Executive Summary

Pages 58

Barriers to attendance

Section One: Attendance and re-attendance

Section Four: Exploring ticket price and booking process

Page 10

Attendance at Festival 2014

Pages 60-64

Cost of events and cost implications

Pages 11-13

Re-attendance from previous festivals

Pages 65-67

Rating the buying process

Section Two: Effectiveness of Marketing

Page 68-69

Choice of booking method

Page 15

Marketing materials received in 2014

Section Five: Economic impact

Pages 16-20

Full Festival Brochure

Page 71-72

Page 21-23

Highlights Leaflet

Section Six: Exploring Audience Opinions

Pages 24-26

Summary Postcard

Page 74-76

Re-attendance and recommendations

Pages 27-30

Festival E-newsletter

Page 77-88

Desired Programming

Page 31-33

Social Media Channels

Page 89-97

Additional comments

Page 34-36

Website

Page 98

Demographics

Page 37-39

Other marketing channels

Page 99-104

Appendix One

Page 40-44

Success of marketing channels

Accommodation spend

Sampling Error When you use sampling to research your audience, the number of responses you get determines how accurate and representative your results are likely to be. Depending on the number of people in the population you’re researching, and number who actually respond to your survey, you can calculate the margin for error at a given level of certainty. Assuming that the sample is representative of all attenders in this circumstance, a sample of this size has a maximum margin of sample error of 3.6% with a confidence interval of +/- 5%. This means, if you repeated this survey 100 times, then 95 times out of 100 you would get answers which are no greater than 3.6% positively or negatively of the result you’ve achieved. Therefore, when next year’s statistics are analysed, any differences which are more than a maximum of +/- the two year’s confidence levels combined can be deemed statistically significant when comparing year on year. Differences of less than this may still be indicative of changes/issues/successes, but may also be the result of sampling error (i.e. the real figures are the same but the sample figures show a misleading difference) Worked example: Hypothetically, in 2012, 50% of people said that they booked their tickets a particular way for the festival, with a 95% confidence interval and a margin of sample error of +/- 5%. This means, if you repeated this survey 100 times, then 95 times out of 100 you would get an answer between 45% and 55%. Then in 2013, 59% of respondents said they booked their tickets that particular way for the festival, with a 95% confidence interval and a margin of sample error of +/- 4%. This means, if you repeated this survey 100 times, then 95 times out of 100 you would get an answer between 55% and 63%. If we compare the two years, a sampled figure of 50% in 2012 and an 55% in 2013 could potentially both represent a 55% in reality (the top end of the 2012 range, and the bottom end of the 2013 range) – in which case there has actually been no change even though it looks like there has. However, if 2013 had been 60% instead of 59%, then this would have been a potential range of 56% to 64%, which the 2012 results could not have overlapped with (as they had a maximum of 55%). This would indicate that there has definitely been an increase in use of that booking method. Or, if 2013 had been lower however, such as 58%, then that would have been a range of 54% to 62% in 2012, which means a real percentage of between 54% (the bottom of the 2011 range) to 55% (the top of the 2010 range) would be possible making it increasingly possible for sampling error to explain the discrepancy.

Sampling Error For this survey, with these sample sizes:      

Answers around 1% have a margin of error of +/- 1% Answers around 5% have a margin of error of +/- 3% Answers around 10% have a margin of error of +/- 4% Answers around 20% have a margin of error of +/-5% Answers around 30% have a margin of error of +/-6% Answers around 40% have a margin of error of +/- 7%

      

Answers around 50% have a margin of error of Answers around 60% have a margin of error of Answers around 70% have a margin of error of Answers around 80% have a margin of error of Answers around 90% have a margin of error of Answers around 95% have a margin of error of Answers around 99% have a margin of error of

+/- 7% +/- 7% +/- 6% +/- 5% +/- 4% +/- 3% +/- 1%

The impact of recall error: A number of the questions within this survey require the customer to recall their behaviour (e.g. re-attendance year on year). These responses may be correct, but they may also be guesses, estimates or false memories – commonly referred to as recall error. This may have impacted on the quality of the data gathered. Comparing responses year-on-year: Some of the survey questions in 2014 were altered from previous years and others were new questions. As such, direct year-on-year comparisons are not always possible. Where comparisons can be drawn, this has been reflected in the accompanying commentary.

Executive summary Key Highlights • Overall, 57% of respondents attended Festival 2014 with over 50% attending more than one event. • Almost one in three who attended Festival in 2014 had also attended in 2013, while 27% had attended every year since 2012. • Almost 80% of those answering considered ticket prices to be very affordable, quite cheap or an acceptable cost. • When asked to describe the Festival using just one word, 84% of respondents used a positive word to do so. • 87% who answered the survey found their overall experience ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’.

• Over 80% took part in or overheard a conversation about the Festival while 50% were aware of Music Club • Almost three-quarters of respondents believe it is quite/very important for the Festival to premiere completely new or never before performed work in NI. • 84% of respondents indicated that they would definitely or probably recommend the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s to a friend. • The majority of respondents (81%) agreed or strongly agreed that the Festival represented international acts in 2014, with one audience member commenting, “it has been really exciting seeing international performances which I might not have had access to without the Festival”. 6

Executive summary • 32% of respondents indicated that they have attended Festival in the last two years, while 27% have attended for the last three years. 17% of respondents have consistently attended the Festival for more than 7 consecutive years. 15% of respondents indicated that 2014 was the first year in which they attended the Festival. • 90% of respondents indicated that they attended between 1 and 4 events at the 2014 Festival. • 14% of respondents attended Music Club with 90% of attendees rating their overall venue experience as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’. • 52% of respondents received a copy of the full Festival Brochure with 85% of respondents rating the brochure overall as ‘Very Good’ or ‘Good’. However, information on venues and locations was rated slightly lower overall, with an average rating of 3.95. • 18% of respondents received a copy of the Highlights leaflet with 77% rating this as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’ overall. • 20% of respondents received a copy of the Summary Postcard with 78% rating this as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’ overall. • 30% of respondents visited the Festival’s Facebook page while 15% viewed Twitter. The majority of respondents used social media channels to gather information about upcoming events or to view pictures. • 58% visited the Festival’s website with the majority of respondents (52%) rating this as ‘Good’ overall. 7

Executive summary • 56% of respondents received the 2014 Festival E-newsletter, with 67% of respondents rating it as ‘Very Good’ or ‘Good’ overall. • Bookings are primarily being prompted by the Festival Full Brochure (46% of attenders), the Festival e-newsletter (26%), the Festival Highlights leaflet (23%), and Word of mouth (22%). • For 40% of respondents, price was not a factor when deciding whether or not to book tickets. However, 24% stated that they would have attended more events if they could afford the tickets. • 62% of respondents indicated that they booked online for Festival 2014. (Note: The high levels of online sales are likely to be an indicator that the results of this survey are based on too large a sample of the Festival’s online customers and too small a sample of offline customers.)

• 31% of respondents indicated they would definitely be attending in 2015, while 41% indicated it would be programming dependent and 22% said they might be attending. • 4% of respondents stayed in paid accommodation within Belfast in order to attend a Festival event. Of these, 50% stayed for one night only. • 63% of respondents were female and 37% were male. • 53% of respondents were aged between 35 and 54.

Attendance and Re-attendance

57% of those responding did attend the 2014 Festival, with over half attending more than one event. 1.5%

2.4% 0.6%

4.3% 5.5% 7.9%

46.6%

13.4% 37.7%

56.8% Yes

10 or more

Not sure

22.3%

Respondent count

Percentage

153

46.6%

22.3%

13.4%

7.9%

4.3% 1.5%

1 Respondent count

Percentage

Yes

331

56.8%

220

37.7%

2.4%

5.5%

0.3%

10 or more

0.6%

Not sure

0.3%

Not sure

Source: Q29: Did you attend an event as part of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's between Thursday 16th October and Saturday 1st November 2014? Base: 583 respondents.

Source: Q30: How many events did you attend at this year's Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in October 2014? Base: 328 respondents.

Re-attendance from previous years decreases the further back in time the Festival occurred, a trend that is in line with expectation. While almost 15% have never attended Festival in previous years, over one third attended earlier than 2008, indicating a significant amount of long-term re-attendance. Respondent Count

Percentage

2013

343

50.1%

2012

362

52.9%

2011

296

43.3%

2008

2010

255

37.3%

2009

223

32.6%

2010

2008

176

25.7%

2011

A festival before 2008

226

33.0%

2012

None that I'm aware of

102

14.9%

I'm not sure

13.0%

I'm not sure

13.0%

None that I'm aware of

14.9%

a festival before 2008

33.0% 25.7% 32.6% 37.3% 43.3% 52.9%

2013 0.0%

50.1%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

Source: Q4: Which, if any, of the previous Ulster Bank Belfast Festivals at Queen's have you attended prior to 2014? (Please tick all that apply). Base: 684 respondents.

When compared with 2013, attendance in the previous year has slightly reduced by 5%. Historically, re-attendance figures remain similar in 2014, varying no more than 5% with each year back in time. This indicates a retention of repeat attendance across time, and a strong loyal core of customers.

85% of respondents had attended one or more previous Festival events, demonstrating a high incidence of loyalty among customers. Respondent count

Percentage

2013

343

50%

2013 & 2012

278

41%

2013 & 2012 & 2011

214

31%

14.9% indicated that this was their first time engaging

2013 & 2012 & 2011 & 2010

169

25%

with the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in 2014.

2013 & 2012 & 2011 & 2010 & 2009

149

22%

128

19%

106

15%

None that I'm aware of

102

15%

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure

13%

2013 & 2012 & 2011 & 2010 & 2009 & 2008 2013 & 2012 & 2011 & 2010 & 2009 & 2008 & a festival before 2008

As would be expected, re-attendance from individual previous years decreases the earlier in time the festival took place.

This is similar to the level of first-time attenders in 2013, where 13.5% of respondents indicated that it was

there first time attending Festival.

Source: Q4: Which, if any, of the previous Ulster Bank Belfast Festivals at Queen's have you attended prior to 2014? (Please tick all that apply). Base: 684 respondents.

Among those who did not attend the 2014 Festival, almost one-quarter had attended in consecutive years prior to this. Considering only those who did attend in 2014, re-attendance from previous years decreases the earlier in time the Festival took place. Patterns among non-attenders in 2014 (Base: 220) Skipped in 2014 with at least one other break in attendance prior to this Skipped in 2014 but attended in consecutive years up until then

Percentage 2014 32.8%

Among those who did not attend 2014 Festival, 63% indicated that they had attended at least one previous Festival. This is a 13% decrease from 2013, where 76% of non-attenders had

23.6%

previously attended, indicating a higher incidence of re-

Never attended

19.5%

attendance in 2014.

Skipped in 2014 after attending for the first time in 2013

7.3%

I’m not sure

16.8%

Total

100%

Patterns among attenders in 2014 (Base: 331) Attended in 2014 and attended in consecutive years up to that point Attended in 2014 but had at least one break in attendance prior to 2014

Percentage 2014

Among those who attended 2014 Festival 84% had attended at least one previous Festival. This is a slight increase of 1% from 2013. Including the 2014 Festival:

65.9%

• 32% also attended in 2013

18.1%

• 27% also attended in 2013 and 2012

Never attended before 2014

9.4%

• 22% also attended in 2013, 2012 and 2011

Not sure

6.6%

Total (attenders in 2014)

100%

Source: Q4: Which, if any, of the previous Ulster Bank Belfast Festivals at Queen's have you attended prior to 2014? (Please tick all that apply). AND Q29 Did you attend an event as part of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's between Thursday 16th October and Saturday 1st November 2014? Base Q4: 684 respondents, Q29: 583 respondents.

• 18% also attended in 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 • 17% also attended in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009 • 17% also attended in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and a Festival before 2009

Effectiveness of marketing

73.2% of respondents questioned received at least one of the three printed programme materials. The most widely disseminated material was the full brochure, which over half of the recipients received, despite the fact that this was not directly mailed to customers as in previous years. 26.8% None of the above

19.6%

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's highlights leaflet.

Important note:

17.5%

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's Summary Postcard Booklet

51.5%

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's full brochure 0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

In 2014, only the Summary Postcard Booklet was posted – both the Full Brochure and the Highlights Leaflet were only available to pick up at various outlets.

60.0%

Respondent Count

Percentage

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s full brochure

317

51.5%

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s highlights leaflet

108

17.5%

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s summary postcard booklet

121

19.6%

None of the above

165

26.8%

Source: Q9: Which version of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's programme did you receive? (Please tick all options that apply). Base: 619 respondents.

This differs to 2013 when there was no Postcard Summary Booklet and both the Full Brochure and Highlights Leaflet were posted to recipients on the Festival’s mailing list. This is a key difference in the approach to marketing potential audiences which is reflected in the results within this section.

The majority of respondents (45.9%) received their copy of the Festival brochure from a venue within Belfast (other than an Ulster Bank branch or on the Queen’s University Campus) while 16.9% picked up a copy on Queen’s campus. 5.2% 24.8%

I received a copy in an Ulster Bank branch

16.9%

I received a copy on the Queen's University campus I received a copy from a different venue in Belfast 7.2%

I received a copy from a different venue outside Belfast I'm not sure where I got it from

45.9%

Respondent Count

Percentage

I received a copy in an Ulster Bank branch

5.2%

I received a copy on the Queen's University campus

16.9%

I received a copy from a venue in Belfast

133

45.9%

I received a copy from a venue outside Belfast

7.2%

I'm not sure where I got it from

24.8%

Source: Q11: Where did you get your copy of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's brochure in 2014? Base: 290 respondents.

• When compared with 2013, the primary method of access to the Full Brochure has not changed, although there has been a 6% rise in the number of respondents picking up their copy from a Belfast-based venue. • This can be explained in part by the changes to the postal methods used for the various marketing materials in 2014 which meant that the full Festival brochure was not posted to potential customers but instead was available to pick up from various outlets. In 2013, respondents who received the brochure by post accounted for 29% of the total respondents. • Almost one-quarter were unsure where they had received the brochure, a sharp rise from just 8% in 2013.

Almost two-thirds of respondents who received a copy of the Festival full brochure claimed to have read the document, highlighting the usefulness of such marketing material.

5.6%

Yes

Respondent Count

Percentage

Yes

303

62.9%

152

31.5%

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure

5.6%

31.5% No

62.9%

I'm not sure

Source: Q10: Did you read any of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's 2014 full brochure (pictured below) before or during this year's Festival? Base: 482 respondents.

On average, respondents rated all elements of the Full Festival brochure highly, with Information on venues and locations the least highly rated at 3.95 and Design/Attractiveness the highest rated variable at 4.12. The average rating for the brochure overall was 4.07, and 5. Overall, 52 respondents (18% of those who saw the brochure) rated at least one element as poor or very poor. Design/attractiveness

4.12

Information and event details

4.11

Overall

4.07

Layout/usability

4.01

Information on how to book

Comparing last year… • Similar to 2013, the majority of respondents rated all aspects of the Full Brochure as ‘Good’, with no attribute rating differing by more than 2%.

3.96

Information on venues/locations

3.95 3.85

3.90

3.95

4.00

4.05

4.10

4.15

Average Rating Very good (5)

Good (4)

Average (3)

Poor (2)

Very Poor (1)

Don't know (0)

Response Rating

Response Count

Design/attractiveness

32% (93)

54% (158)

11% (31)

2% (7)

1% (2)

4.12

293

Layout/usability

26% (76)

56% (163)

13% (38)

3% (10)

1% (2)

4.01

291

Information and event details

30% (89)

54% (157)

13% (38)

2% (6)

0% (0)

1% (2)

4.11

292

Information on venues/locations

25% (74)

52% (152)

18% (54)

2% (7)

0% (0)

2% (5)

3.95

292

Information on how to book

25% (73)

55% (159)

15% (44)

3% (10)

0% (0)

2% (5)

3.96

291

Overall

27% (77)

57% (162)

12% (33)

2% (7)

0.5% (1)

1% (2)

4.07

282

Source: Q12: How would you rate the following elements of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's Brochure in 2014? (Please select one answer per row). Base: 294 respondents. An average rating of between 3 and 5 indicates that the majority of respondents scored that element as either Average, Good or Very Good. The closer to 5, the more that variable has been rated Very Good. Note: Respondent counts are displayed in brackets after each percentage score. Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.

28 respondents provided additional comments regarding the Full Festival brochure. These are detailed below: Positive • •

•

I downloaded a full copy of the brochure on line. I did not receive a hard copy, nor did I need to. The brochure presentation is absolutely excellent. The brochure gave you ample information upon which to calculate if you would like an event , may be enticed to attend an event which would not be your regular type of entertainment. As the price range is acceptable, it is exciting to go to a performance with an element of the unknown added in for good measure. There is a lot of information in it so I perused it several times in order to make my choices.

Constructive • • •

Could indicate venue/ticket price on same page. Please put in the day, as well as the date. Format and layout considerably better over previous years - for a festival a printed hard copy is still preferable over internet ...

Negative • • • • • • • •

Design was very boring, graphics not appealing - quite ugly - too much happening on the front cover it could have been bold and simple. Very hard to work through electronic version okay Didn't receive a response to a query I sent on seating arrangements at Elmwood Hall. Also sent a tweet which wasn't responded to Needed more info on the location of the 'More than a flag' event. The brochure has increasingly decreased in size over the years. Print size quite small and tricky to read. I find the brochure - which I receive through the post to my home - increasingly confusing in layout. The map link to the venue locations via the website would not load? In my opinion the layout has not changed in decades.

Source: Q12: How would you rate the following elements of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's Brochure in 2014? Explanatory responses: 28, Base: 294 respondents.

Negative continued… • • • • • • • • • •

Use of various colours sometimes obscured the text. It was difficult to see how reductions in ticket prices applied...e.g. at what age did senior prices apply??? Phone number of booking office not on 1st page along with other contact details seemed strange. Booking was a nightmare. I was unable to find out when tickets would be available; an event which was sold out was still being advertised as available. I don't really like the design, it feels cluttered and 'busy', and like it is hard to find information. Booklet was OK - content wasn't. As far as I remember there was no information at all on the A Stor Mo Chroi concert and just a picture of the back of some people's heads. I looked it up online and ended up going, but no thanks to the brochure! The online version was harder to navigate in PDF. An app would be handy. I didn't like the 'passport to the arts' idea... could have been more innovative! I had to use Google maps to find out where venues outside South Belfast were situated.

Other • • •

I got the brochure in the post from the festival - q 11 above is appalling badly written - I had no where to tick an answer - so I ticked the bottom; very bad questionnaire design, an elementary error. I saw the brochure online and saw no physical copies anywhere. I downloaded PDF version of the brochure

Source: Q12: How would you rate the following elements of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's Brochure in 2014? Explanatory responses: 28, Base: 294 respondents.

Similar to the full brochure, the majority of respondents (45.6%) received their copy of the Highlights Leaflet from a venue in Belfast other than the bank or the University. Over 40% of respondents did not read this piece of marketing material.

4.8%

11.2%

14.5%

27.4% 47.1%

Yes

I received a copy on the Queen's University campus

I received a copy from a venue in Belfast

I'm not sure

41.7%

7.7%

I received a copy from a venue outside Belfast 45.6%

Respondent count

Percentage

Yes

256

47.1%

227

41.7%

11.2%

I'm not sure

I received a copy in an Ulster Bank branch

Source: Q13: Did you read any of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's edited highlights leaflet before or during this year's Festival in October? Base: 544 respondents.

I'm not sure where I got it from

Respondent Count

Percentage

I received a copy in an Ulster Bank branch

4.8%

I received a copy on the Queen's University campus

14.5%

I received a copy from a venue in Belfast

113

45.6%

I received a copy from a venue outside Belfast

7.7%

I'm not sure where I got it from

27.4%

Source: Q14: Where did you get your copy of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's edited Highlight Leaflet in 2014? Base: 248 respondents. 21

In the main, respondents rated all aspects of the Highlights Leaflet fairly highly, with information on venues and locations again achieving the lowest average rating at 3.92. The design and attractiveness of the leaflet was most favourably rated at 4.11. Overall

Comparing last year… • Similar to 2013, the majority of respondents rated all aspects of the Full Brochure as ‘Good’.

4.01

Information on how to book

3.97

Information on venues/locations

3.92

Information and event details

• A slightly higher proportion of respondents answered ‘Good’ in 2014 at the expense of ‘Very Good’, meaning that the overall rating average dipped slightly this year.

3.98

Layout/usability

4.00

Design/attractiveness

3.80

4.11 3.85

3.90

3.95

4.00

4.05

4.10

4.15

Very good (5)

Good (4)

Average (3)

Poor (2)

Very Poor (1)

Don't know (0)

Rating Average

Response Count

Design/attractiveness

29% (71)

59% (146)

10% (24)

1% (3)

1% (2)

4.11

248

Layout/usability

25% (62)

55% (134)

16% (38)

3% (7)

0.4% (1)

1% (2)

4.0

244

Information and event details

26% (64)

55% (136)

12% (30)

4% (10)

2% (4)

1% (2)

3.98

246

Information on venues/locations

24% (59)

53% (129)

18% (44)

2% (6)

0.4% (1)

2% (5)

3.92

244

Information on how to book

26% (63)

55% (134)

14% (35)

2% (6)

0.4% (1)

2% (5)

3.97

244

Overall

26% (62)

55% (129)

14% (32)

3% (8)

0.4% (1)

1% (2)

4.01

234

Source: Q15: How would you rate the following elements of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's Highlight Leaflet in 2014? (Please select one answer per row). Base: 248 respondents. An average rating of between 3 and 5 indicates that the majority of respondents scored that element as Average, Good or Very Good. The closer to 5, the more that variable has been rated Very Good. 22 Note: Respondent counts are displayed in brackets after each percentage score. Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.

10 respondents provided additional comments regarding the Highlights Leaflet. These are detailed below: Positive •

All good, colour coding helpful. Again, just a wee bit small on the print.

Constructive •

It served as a good back up to the full brochure. It provides enough information to make further enquiries but I still prefer to have access to the full brochure.

Negative • • • •

It Pictured Lesser acts on it and made no promotion of brilliant-should be a sell out acts- specifically Lulo Reinhardt Latin Project , There were many empty seats upstairs and it was absolutely brilliant! Not enough information included. Not put together in a logical or familiar way, I found it hard to get into. I had a bad experience with tickets being transferred between GOH and Festival. Result: tickets unbuyable when I wished to buy. And unavailable later. Not very inspiring.

Other • • •

I could not find a full brochure. Quite hard to locate specific events. Very difficult to get full brochure this year. Most people I spoke to thought the Highlight leaflet was the only brochure. I downloaded PDF version of programme online .

Source: Q15: How would you rate the following elements of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's Highlight Leaflet in 2014? (Please select one answer per row). Explanatory responses: 10 respondents. Base: 248 respondents.

Just under one-third of respondents received the Summary Postcard Leaflet, with the majority (57.4%) receiving a copy by post to their house.

13.2%

2.6%

14.8% Yes, I received it

31.8%

No, I didn't receive it I'm not sure if I received it

53.4%

18.9%

57.4% 6.3%

I received a copy by post to my house I received a copy in an Ulster Bank branch I received a copy on the Queen's University campus I received a copy from a venue in Belfast I received a copy from a venue outside Belfast I'm not sure where I got it from

1.6%

Respondent Count

Percentage

Yes, I received it

191

31.8%

No, I didn't receive it

321

53.4%

I'm not sure if I received it

14.8%

Respondent count

Percentage

109

57.4%

I received a copy in an Ulster Bank branch

1.6%

I received a copy on the Queen's University campus

6.3%

I received a copy from a venue in Belfast

18.9%

2.6%

13.2%

I received a copy by post to my house

I received a copy from a venue outside Belfast I'm not sure where I got it from

Source: Q16: Did you receive the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's Summary Postcard Leaflet (pictured) in 2014? Base: 601 respondents.

Source: Q17: Where did you get your copy of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's Summary Postcard Leaflet in 2014? Base: 190 respondents.

Once again, information on venues and locations achieved the lowest average rating at 3.93 while design and attractiveness of the Summary Postcard rated most highly at an average of 4.19. Overall, respondents were generally happy, rating all elements between ‘Average’ and ‘Very Good’. Overall

4.08

Information on how to book

3.99

Information on venues/locations

3.93

Information and event details

4.00

Layout/usability

4.10

Design/attractiveness

4.19

3.80

3.85

3.90

3.95

4.00

4.05

4.10

4.15

4.20

4.25

Very good (5)

Good (4)

Average (3)

Poor (2)

Very Poor (1)

Don't know (0)

Rating Average

Response Count

Design/attractiveness

39% (74)

46% (87)

12% (23)

1% (2)

0% (0)

2% (3)

4.19

189

Layout/usability

36% (67)

45% (85)

15% (29)

2% (4)

0% (0)

2% (3)

4.10

188

Information and event details

34% (64)

45% (84)

13% (24)

4% (8)

2% (4)

2% (3)

4.00

187

Information on venues/locations

30% (55)

48% (89)

17% (31)

2% (3)

0.5% (1)

4% (7)

3.93

186

Information on how to book

35% (65)

46% (85)

13% (25)

!% (1)

0.5% (1)

5% (9)

3.99

186

Overall

36% (65)

45% (82)

14% (25)

3% (5)

0% (0)

2% (4)

4.08

181

Source: Q18:How would you rate the following elements of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's Summary Postcard Leaflet in 2014? (Please select one answer per row). Base: 189 respondents. An average rating of between 3 and 5 indicates that the majority of respondents scored that element as Average, Good or Very Good. The closer to 5, the more that variable has been rated Very Good. Note: Respondent counts are displayed in brackets after each percentage score. Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.

14 respondents provided additional comments regarding the Summary Postcard. These are detailed below: Positive • Went online to find out more details but the info in the brochure was good enough for a start • I received it at Fresher’s week and got some great information on what acts to look out for • easy to follow, well laid out.

Constructive • •

One of the events I attended was 'The Suit' adapted/directed by the world famous, highly acclaimed Theatre Director, Peter Brook. I don't think the advertising of this event adequately communicated the significance of this production coming to Belfast. I expected it to be sold out and was shocked to find that the house was half full. A bit small for people who would have eyesight problems.

Negative • • • • • • • •

Very little description of events. Prefer full brochure. I thought that both the range of acts, and the information provided about them, was disappointing this year. Its purpose seemed to be in informing people about a food discount not the festival. I understand that it was on a small scale but there was so little information on the performances that it would have been impossible to know whether to book something unless you had knowledge of the acts previously. I didn't know that there was a larger version so I thought that this smaller one was the only info available apart from online. I found this hard going - strange layout and not enough info. Prefer the old format. I wanted the full brochure with all the details. I thought this was the main brochure when I received it! I'm not sure what the point was of having this in addition to the full brochure.

Other •

Did not look at it

Source: Q18:How would you rate the following elements of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's Summary Postcard Leaflet in 2014? (Please select one answer per row). Explanatory responses: 10 respondents. Base: 189 respondents.

Over half of those responding (56.2%) claimed to have received the Festival e-mail newsletter in 2014, a figure which could be indicative of the medium through which survey respondents were targeted and as such may be an over-representation of the reach of the newsletter.

Respondent count

Percentage

Yes, I received it

334

56.2%

No, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t receive it

167

28.1%

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure if I received it

15.7%

15.7% Yes, I received it

No, I didn't receive it 28.1%

56.2%

I'm not sure if I received it

Source: Q19: Did you receive the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's e-mail newsletter (pictured) in 2014? Base: 594 respondents.

Reaction to the newsletter was slightly less positive than to other marketing materials with average ratings ranging from 3.36 for information on venues and locations to 3.45 for design and attractiveness and overall satisfaction. Overall Frequency of emails

3.38

Information on how to book

3.43

Information on venues/locations

3.36

Information and event details

3.44

Layout/usability

3.38

Design/attractiveness

3.30

Comparing last year… • There is a significant decrease in overall satisfaction with the Festival newsletter in 2014 when compared with 2013. The percentage of respondents answering ‘Very Good’ or ‘Good’ for each of the attribute statements has decreased by between 12 and 17%.

3.45

• However, overall less than 2.5% of respondents identified any aspect of the newsletter as ‘Poor’ or ‘Very Poor’. 3.50

3.45 3.35

3.40

3.45

Very good (5)

Good (4)

Average (3)

Poor (2)

Very Poor (1)

Don't know (0)

Rating Average

Response Count

Design/attractiveness

23% (94)

45% (185)

16% (66)

1% (4)

0.2% (1)

15% (61)

3.45

411

Layout/usability

20% (80)

46% (189)

18% (72)

2% (7)

0.2% (1)

15% (61)

3.38

410

Information and event details

23% (94)

44% (181)

16% (64)

2% (7)

0% (0)

15% (61)

3.44

407

Information on venues/locations

20% (83)

45% (182)

18% (72)

1% (5)

0% (0)

16% (66)

3.36

408

Information on how to book

22% (91)

46% (188)

15% (61)

1% (4)

0% (0)

15% (63)

3.43

407

Frequency of emails

19% (77)

47% (193)

17% (70)

2% (10)

0% (0)

15% (60)

3.38

410

Overall

22% (88)

46% (186)

17% (67)

0.5% (2)

14% (58)

3.45

403

Source: Q20: How would you rate the following elements of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's e-mailed newsletter in 2014? (Please select one answer per row). Base: 412 respondents. 28 An average rating of between 3 and 5 indicates that the majority of respondents scored that element as Average, Good or Very Good. The closer to 5, the more that variable has been rated Very Good. Note: Respondent counts are displayed in brackets after each percentage score. Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.

31 respondents provided additional comments regarding the emailed Festival newsletter. These are detailed below: Positive • • • •

I particularly liked the innovative use of email alerts relevant to the upcoming acts and highlights that week. Excellent. Overall a well designed and effective product. Excellent brochure design.

Constructive •

• • • • •

I'm not sure whether there will be a question on info at venues about the Company/Production. I was disappointed to find that there was very little and I had to ask the attendants for a brochure at The Suit. They said they would have a look around the Theatre and found something in a box in the Dressing Room. Not blaming the attendant as they went out of there way to look. I would have liked more emails highlighting the different events on. The emails about the festival events would have been better starting earlier- more in late August, early September. No substitute for a hard copy, which is then backed up by a website where one can search. advance fliers intended to whet the appetite could be cut as an economy. as could overkill on emails. I sometimes found it difficult to marry the picture with the writing in the newsletter. Remember not everyone does Facebook and therefore email info should mirror Facebook updates. The e-mails tended to concentrate on offering free tickets for events rather than giving detailed information on events. In previous years I received e-mails long before the Festival opened with news of forthcoming events. That 'drip-feed' approach was effective & whetted the appetite. I missed receiving the early information this year.

Negative •

Can control print size on computer.

Other • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Can't remember if received one. Didn't see it. As I'd read the full brochure I didn't look at the email. I didn't get an e-mail. Not sure if received. Didn't read the emails as I already had looked at the printed material. Didn't get a chance to attend. Can't remember it to be honest. I don't think I received it! Why are other city festivals organised better than you? I don't think I received this. Getting fed up now with all these questions about receipt of newsletters... I have no idea what the questions you are now asking mean. Too much information and I appear to be only 39% through this. I am off to bed. Seems a long time ago. Not sure if I got it. Didn't receive. Don't remember anything about it really. It may have gone to my junk mail. I ignored these emails and read the brochure instead. .

While the majority of respondents (62%) did not visit any of the Festival’s Social Media channels, Facebook was the most popular (30%) while Flickr received just one visitor.

No, I didn't visit any of these in 2014 Flickr

62.2%

Comparing last year…

0.2%

Youtube Twitter

15.3%

Facebook 0.0%

• Social media usage has not changed significantly when compared with last year: Facebook remains the primary network of preference, followed by Twitter.

4.0%

29.7% 20.0%

40.0%

Respondent count

60.0%

80.0%

Percentage

Facebook

177

29.7%

Twitter

15.3%

YouTube

4.0%

0.2%

371

62.2%

Flickr No, I didn’t visit any of these in 2014

• There is a marginal increase of just less by 5% via Facebook, and 3% for Twitter. • The proportion of respondents who did not visit any social network has decreased by 6%. • This is indicative of increased engagement via social media more generally.

Source: Q21: Did you visit any of the following social networks associated with the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's during 2014? (Please tick all that apply). Base: 596 respondents.

The majority used social media to find out information about events (84%) or to look at photos (50%).

9.8%

4.2%

9.3%

14.4% 83.8% 50.7%

25.1%

I found out information about an upcoming event I watched a video I looked at photos I commented on/replied to a post by the Festival I left feedback about an event I'd seen I left feedback about the festival generally I discussed the festival with other fans or followers

Respondent count

Percentage

I found out information about an upcoming event

180

83.8%

I looked at photos

109

50.7%

I watched a video

25.1%

I commented on/replied to a post by the Festival

14.4%

I left feedback about an event I’d seen

9.8%

I discusses the Festival with other fans or followers

9.3%

4.2%

I left feedback about the Festival generally

Comparing last year… • When compared with 2013, the primary reason for visiting Festival social media in 2014 is unchanged: to find out information about an upcoming event. • However, there has been an increase in the proportion of visitors who have viewed photos (+3%) and watched videos (+9%%), indicating higher levels of engagement across such channels. • There is also a higher incidence of interaction via social media in 2014 when compared with the previous year, particularly in terms of those commenting or replying to posts (+8%) and those discussing the Festival with others (+3%).

‘Other’ responses: • • •

Shared/linked an event with UBBFAQ that we were running as part of the programme. I shared posts. I read reviews.

Source: Q22: Which of the following did you do while visiting one of our social networks? Base: 218 respondents. 3 ‘Other’ responses.

Despite the fact 62% of respondents did not visit social media channels, the majority of those asked (71.8%) said it was quite or very important to use these channels in 2014, a slight decrease of 3% when compared to 2013. Almost 60% of respondents visited the Festival website at some point this year. 2.7%

Very important 7.9% Quite important

9.8%

Yes, I visited it

38.8%

15.6%

A little important No, I didn't visit it Not important at all

33.7% 58.3%

I'm not sure

I'm not sure if I visited it

33.0%

Respondent count

Percentage

Very important

38.8%

Quite important

33.0%

A little important

15.6%

Not important at all

9.8%

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure

2.7%

Respondent count

Percentage

Yes, I visited it

346

58.3%

No, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t visit it

200

33.7%

7.9%

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure if I visited it

Source: Q24: Did you visit www.belfastfestival.com (which included our blog) before or during the 2014 Festival? Base: 593 respondents.

Source: Q23: How important is it to you to be able to engage with the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's via a social network like Facebook or Twitter? Base: 224 respondents.

Average ratings for the Festival website ranged from 3.93 for layout and usability to 4.04 for design and attractiveness. Overall, respondents rated the website at 4.01, a predominant rating of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;goodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Overall

4.01

Information on how to book

3.99

Information on venues/locations

3.93

Information and event details

4.01

Layout/usability

3.93

Design/attractiveness 3.86

4.04 3.88

3.90

3.92

3.94

3.96

3.98

4.00

4.02

4.04

4.06

Very good (5)

Good (4)

Average (3)

Poor (2)

Very Poor (1)

Don't know (0)

Rating Average

Response Count

Design/attractiveness

29% (98)

54% (183)

14% (47)

2% (6)

0.3% (1)

2% (6)

4.04

341

Layout/usability

25% (86)

52% (176)

17% (59)

4% (14)

0.3% (1)

1% (5)

3.93

341

Information and event details

28% (94)

55% (186)

14% (47)

2% (7)

0% (0)

2% (7)

4.01

341

Information on venues/locations

25% (86)

52% (176)

19% (63)

2% (6)

0% (0)

3% (9)

3.93

340

Information on how to book

29% (98)

50% (168)

17% (58)

1% (5)

0.3% (1)

2% (8)

3.99

338

Overall

29% (95)

52% (174)

15% (51)

2% (5)

0.3% (1)

2% (7)

4.01

333

Source: Q25: How would you rate the following elements of www.belfastfestival.com in 2014? (Please select one answer per row). Base: 342 respondents. Explanatory responses: 19. An average rating of between 3 and 5 indicates that the majority of respondents scored that element as Average, Good or Very Good. The closer to 5, the more that variable has been rated Very Good.

19 respondents provided additional comments regarding the website. These are detailed below: Constructive • • • •

Don't over clutter the pages - keep it simple - effective functionality surely has to override everything. It would be helpful if once events finished they moved off the booking site. Easy to use a little to 'busy’. Just think the look and design could look more youthful and colourful to appeal to a wider audience - I thought this about all the festival marketing materials...

Negative • • • • • • •

• • •

I don't like the Design again boring - more photos of the events would have looked better descriptions for events not exciting. The information on the events were not all working when we received an email about it. I kept trying to find info about Mike Night and it wasn't working, there wasn't even a note to say that the info would be available soon. Quite difficult to navigate. Website navigation could be improved to find categories and events faster e.g. classical concerts. Reduce the need for clicking. Rather slow and clunky. I thought it was sometime difficult to see what events were on at a particular day. Even though I knew what I was looking for I sometimes could not find things. The site is not designed to stop you trying to book tickets for sold out events and time is therefore wasted going so far with the purchase of tickets and then no explanation as to why the transaction cannot be completed. This unfortunately for me resulted in calling the box office and queuing for around 20 minutes to be then told the event was sold out. When I went back into the site I saw the sold out sign on the event banner, but it was not very obvious to be honest and as I say a simple change to the online shopping basket process with clear info would sort this out in a second, saving customers and telephone handlers time! I found it difficult to get through to the booking page at times. The extra show added for Paul Colgan was difficult to find online. You cant search by date which is annoying. Could be better.

Source: Q25: How would you rate the following elements of www.belfastfestival.com in 2014? (Please select one answer per row). Base: 342 respondents. Explanatory responses: 19.

Negative continued • •

I found it hard to use. I found the online booking system confusing and I the server was down on the day I tried to book online.

Other • • •

It didn't register No comment Blah blah blah...

Source: Q25: How would you rate the following elements of www.belfastfestival.com in 2014? (Please select one answer per row). Base: 342 respondents. Explanatory responses: 19.

Respondents were most likely to speak to friends and family about the Festival in 2014. Just over 15% claimed to have heard no conversations about the events at all, while almost one in ten spoke to people they had not previously met about Festival. Comparing last yearâ&#x20AC;Ś â&#x20AC;˘ Similar to 2013, respondents were most likely to talk about Festival 2014 with friends and family. â&#x20AC;˘ There was a slight increase (+2.4%%) in the proportion of respondents talking to strangers about the event, although also a slight increase in those who did not overhear or take part in any conversations about Festival (+1.7%). Respondent count

Percentage

I spoke to friends about the Festival

377

64.0%

I spoke to family about the Festival

270

45.8%

I spoke to work colleagues or students I teach about the Festival

191

32.4%

I didn't see or hear any conversations about the Festival

16.5%

I spoke to people I've never met before about the Festival

9.0%

I overheard others talking about the Festival but wasn't involved in the conversation

5.9%

I'm not sure

3.2%

3.2% 5.9%

16.5%

9.0%

64.0%

32.4%

45.8% I spoke to friends about the Festival

I spoke to family about the Festival I spoke to work colleagues or students I teach about the Festival

Source:Q26: Were you involved in any conversations (online or in person) about the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in 2014 with other people before, during or after the Festival? (Please tick all that apply.) Base: 589 respondents.

I spoke to people I've never met before about the Festival

I overheard others talking about the Festival but wasn't involved in the conversation I didn't see or hear any conversations about the Festival I'm not sure

Of the other bits of marketing that respondents recalled seeing or hearing, outside advertising was the most prominent with just over half of all respondents selecting this. Press interviews and adverts in newspapers and magazines were also prominent at 38% and 31% respectively. The Free Festival Friday Campaign was named by just 4.4% of respondents, while the Big Screen at City Hall, TV adverts and other online adverts were all seen by less than one in ten of those responding. Respondent count

Percentage

Outside advertising (billboards/street banners/buses)

258

51.1%

Press interviews in newspapers and magazines

190

37.6%

Adverts in newspapers and magazines

156

30.9%

Online advertising

123

24.4%

CultureNorthernIreland.org Website

116

23.0%

Adverts on radio

16.2%

BBC Radio Ulster Festival Desk

16.0%

Belfast Telegraph Website

12.9%

Belfast Telegraph Daily Festival Notebook pages

11.7%

Adverts on TV

9.1%

Other websites/e-newsletters

8.3%

Big Screen Belfast City Hall

7.1%

Free Festival Friday Campaign

4.4%

Source: Q27: Which other bits of marketing do you remember seeing or hearing before or during the 2014 Ulster Bank Belfast Festival? (Please tick all that apply.) Base: 505 respondents.

Outside advertising (billboards/street banners/buses)

51.1%

Press interviews in newspapers and magazines

37.6%

Adverts in newspapers and magazines

30.9%

Online advertising

24.4%

CultureNorthernIreland.org Website

23.0%

Adverts on radio

16.2%

BBC Radio Ulster Festival Desk

16.0%

Belfast Telegraph Website

12.9%

Belfast Telegraph Daily Festival Notebook pages

11.7%

Adverts on TV

9.1%

Other websites/e-newsletters Big Screen Belfast City Hall Free Festival Friday Campaign 0.0%

8.3% 7.1% 4.4% 10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

Source: Q27: Which other bits of marketing do you remember seeing or hearing before or during the 2014 Ulster Bank Belfast Festival? (Please tick all that apply.) Base: 505 respondents.

The majority of respondents were prompted to attend the Festival having seen the full printed brochure (46%), while just over onequarter went following the e-newsletter. The YouTube and Flickr accounts prompted attendance among less than 1% of respondents, as did the Free Festivals Friday campaign. Respondent count

Percentage

Festival full printed brochure

201

46.4%

Festival e-newsletter

111

25.6%

Festival highlights leaflet

22.8%

Word of mouth (conversations in person)

22.1%

Festival website and blog

18.9%

Festival Facebook page

14.3%

The Festival Summary Postcard Booklet

12.2%

CultureNorthernIreland.org Website

9.5%

Press interviews in newspapers and magazines

8.8%

Festival Twitter account

8.3%

BBC Radio Ulster Festival Desk

8.3%

Outside advertising (billboards/street banners/buses)

7.6%

Respondent count

Percentage

Adverts in newspapers and magazines

6.9%

Adverts on radio

6.2%

Word of mouth (conversations online)

5.6%

Online advertising

5.3%

Belfast Telegraph Website

3.7%

Adverts on TV

3.7%

Other websites/e-newsletters

3.5%

Belfast Telegraph daily Festival Notebook page

2.8%

Big Screen at Belfast City Hall

1.6%

Free Festival Friday campaign

0.9%

Festival YouTube account

0.9%

Festival Flickr account

0.0%

Source: Q28: What marketing did you see that directly prompted you to go and buy your ticket(s) for the Festival? (Please tick all that apply). Base: 433 respondents. Explanatory responses: 57 in total, 29 respondents stated that they did not purchase tickets at all, these have not been included here.

Festival full printed brochure

46.4%

Festival e-newsletter

25.6%

Festival highlights leaflet

22.8%

Word of mouth (conversations in person)

22.1%

Festival website and blog

18.9%

Festival Facebook page

14.3%

The Festival Summary Postcard Booklet

12.2%

CultureNorthernIreland.org Website

9.5%

Press interviews in newspapers and magazines

8.8%

BBC Radio Ulster Festival Desk

8.3%

Festival Twitter account

8.3%

Outside advertising (billboards/street banners/buses)

7.6%

Adverts in newspapers and magazines

6.9%

Adverts on radio

6.2%

Word of mouth (conversations online)

5.6%

Online advertising

5.3%

Belfast Telegraph Website

3.7%

Adverts on TV

3.7%

Other websites/e-newsletters

3.5%

Belfast Telegraph daily Festival Notebook page

2.8%

Big Screen at Belfast City Hall

1.6%

Free Festival Friday campaign

0.9%

Festival Youtube account

0.9%

Festival Flickr account

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

50.0%

Over half of all respondents and those who booked in 2014 were aware of outside advertising. Of those who attended Festival, over 40% were also aware of newspaper and magazine press interviews. TV adverts, the Big Screen at City Hall and the Free Festival Friday Campaign had less of an impact among both attendees and non-attendees, with less than 10% of respondents aware of each. Respondent count (All respondents)

Percentage (All respondents)

Respondent count (Just 2014 bookers)

258

51.1%

169

51.1%

190

37.6%

134

40.5%

Adverts in newspapers and magazines

156

30.9%

107

32.3%

Online advertising

123

24.4%

23.3%

CultureNorthernIreland.org Website

116

23.0%

22.7%

Adverts on radio

16.2%

16.3%

BBC Radio Ulster Festival Desk

16.0%

16.3%

Belfast Telegraph Website Belfast Telegraph Daily Festival Notebook pages Adverts on TV

12.9%

13.6%

11.7%

13.3%

9.1%

Other websites/e-newsletters

8.3%

7.3%

Big Screen Belfast City Hall

7.1%

6.6%

Free Festival Friday Campaign

4.4%

4.8%

Outside advertising (billboards/street banners/buses) Press interviews in newspapers and magazines

All of the respondents questioned were exposed to one or more marketing channel, regardless of whether they ended up booking or not. The most commonly seen form of marketing was outside advertising, including billboards, street banners and buses, with 50% to 70% of respondents stating they had witnesses this channel. Seen by more than 50% of respondents

•

Outside advertising

Seen by 25% to 50% of • respondents •

Press interviews in papers and magazines Adverts in papers and magazines

Seen by 10% to 25% of • respondents • • • • •

Online adverts Culture ni.org BBC Radio Ulster Festival Desk Adverts on radio Belfast Telegraph website Belfast Telegraph Daily Festival Notebook Adverts on TV Other websites Big Screen at City Hall Free Festival Friday

Seen by less than 10% • of respondents • • • Seen by more than 50% of respondents

•

Outside advertising

Seen by 25% to 50% of • respondents •

Press interviews in papers and magazines Adverts in papers and magazines

Seen by 10% to 25% of • respondents • • • • •

Seen by less than 10% • of respondents • • •

Respondent count

Percentage

1 channel

162

32.0%

2 channels

132

26.1%

3 channels

100

19.8%

4 channels

9.9%

5 channels

6.7%

6 channels

2.8%

7 channels

1.8%

8 channels

0.6%

9 channels

0.2%

506

100.0%

Total

27 respondents who purchased tickets provided additional information regarding the marketing material that prompted them to make a purchase. These comments are detailed below: Social media • •

Facebook posts by featured artists. Direct advertising on Facebook by one of the groups appearing during the Festival.

Community ticketing •

Community ticketing scheme.

Competition •

I entered festival website draw and received free tickets.

Other media • • • • •

BBC news report about flamenco dance. Kerry Mclean show on Radio Ulster. Radio interview. Newspaper article. Irish news.

Targeted e-mail •

Targeted email offer of special deal of two theatre event tickets, thought this was very good as they were two events that I wanted to attend.

Gift •

Tickets were bought for me as a gift.

Word of mouth • •

Word of mouth. Recommended by a friend.

Other venues and partners • • • • • •

Venues involved social media and websites. Dance Resource Base e-newsletter. Ulster Orchestra brochure. Ulster Orchestra brochure. Opera House brochure. The Waterfront Brochure.

Other • Liked the group I went to see. • Picked up info at library. • Not sure where I saw marketing but I remember seeing in a few places. • Usually it is word of mouth or the brochure for both me and my family. • The Gloamings own page prompted me to look it up - I hadn't heard of the festival before then. • The artists’ Twitter account specifying they were playing. • Life is too short. • I attend the festival every year. • Dan Gordon personally gave out leaflets to 'More than a Flag' on Woodstock Road. That sealed it for me!

Source: Q28: What marketing did you see that directly prompted you to go and buy your ticket(s) for the Festival? (Please tick all that apply). Base: 433 respondents. Explanatory responses: 57 in total, 30 respondents stated that they did not purchase tickets at all, these have not been included here.

Rating the Festival

Over two thirds of respondents indicated that they ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ with all statements relating to the 2014 Festival. In particular, 81% agreed that the Festival represented international acts. 67% agreed that Festival was inclusive to all sectors of the community, the lowest rated attribute. Strongly agree (5)

Agree (4)

Neither agree nor disagree (3)

Disagree (2)

Strongly disagree (1)

Not sure (0)

Rating Average

Response Count

18% (114)

52% (327)

19% (121)

5% (29)

1% (5)

4% (28)

3.7

624

22% (135)

54% (336)

15% (91)

4% (24)

0.5% (3)

6% (36)

3.7

625

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s represented international acts.

28% (174)

53% (329)

12% (77)

2% (10)

0.2% (1)

5% (30)

3.9

621

I believe that The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s is inclusive of all sectors of the community.

22% (136)

45% (282)

17% (107)

7% (44)

3% (17)

6% (39)

3.6

625

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s represented contemporary artistic provision.

21% (132)

52% (324)

17% (105)

3% (21)

1% (4)

5% (34)

3.7

620

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s took place in locations which were readily accessible to all across the city.

24% (148)

52% (324)

15% (91)

3% (18)

1% (4)

6% (36)

3.8

621

Events put on by Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s were innovative.

I thought the events at Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s were entertaining.

Source: Q5: To what extent do you believe that the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in 2014 could be described by the following words? Base: 620-625 respondents. 78 respondents explained their response, a full list of these explanations can be found in Appendix One. Note: Respondent counts are displayed in brackets after each percentage score. Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.

0.6% The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's took place in 5.8% 2.9% 14.7% locations which were readily accessible to all across the city

The Ulster Bank Festival at Queen's represented contemporary artistic provision

0.6% 5.5% 3.4%

I believe that The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's is 6.2% 2.7% inclusive of all sectors of the community

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's represented International acts

I thought the events at Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's were entertaining

0.2% 4.8% 1.6%

16.9%

7.0%

0.8% Events put on by Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's were 4.6% Innovative 4.5%

Not sure

Strongly disagree

10% Disagree

23.8%

52.3%

17.1%

21.8%

53.0%

14.6%

28.0%

53.8%

19.4%

20%

21.3%

45.1%

12.4%

0.5% 5.8% 3.8%

52.2%

21.6%

52.4%

30%

40%

50%

60%

% of respondents Neither agree nor disagree

18.3%

70% Agree

80%

90%

100%

Strongly agree

When asked to describe Festival in one word, there were a wide range of responses. However, in the main 83.7% of respondents were positive and 1.8% provided neutral descriptive words. Just 11.8% of the words provided could be considered negative, while the remaining words were classified as ‘other’. A selection of the feedback is detailed below. Positive words: - The overwhelming majority of respondents were positive when providing a single word to describe Festival, using terms such as fun, exciting, entertaining and informative.. - In particular, 74 respondents used terms such as ‘varied’ or ‘eclectic’; 27 thought it was ‘inspired’ or ‘inspirational’ and 14 used ‘inclusive’.

Negative words: - 17 respondents described Festival as dull, boring safe or lacklustre - 5 respondents stated it was disappointing - 17 respondents considered Festival to be highbrow or elitist - Other negative comments included a perception that the Festival was unaware, indulgent, shrinking, too expensive or overblown (less than 5 respondents for each)

Source: Q6: If you had to chose one other single word to describe the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's, what word would you choose? Base: 509 respondents A full list of responses can be found in Appendix One.

The word cloud below summarises the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;one wordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; responses provided to describe the 2014 Festival

When asked to rate various elements of this year’s Festival, respondents were largely positive, with all aspects being rated on average as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’. While the variety of events available was the lowest scoring element at 4.01, respondents rated their Overall experience very highly at 4.28. Your overall experience

4.28

Customer service

4.05

Festival venues used

4.22

Quality of events available

4.15

Variety of events available

4.01 3.85

3.90

3.95

4.00

4.05

4.10

4.15

4.20

4.25

4.30

4.35

Very good (5)

Good (4)

Average (3)

Poor (2)

Very Poor (1)

Don't know (0)

Rating Average

Response Count

Variety of events available

35% (115)

42% (138)

16% (51)

5% (17)

0.6% (2)

1.5% (5)

4.01

328

Quality of events available

39% (126)

47% (152)

8% (27)

3% (10)

0% (0)

2.5% (8)

4.15

323

Festival venues used

38% (124)

51% (166)

8% (25)

1% (3)

0.3% (1)

1.5% (5)

4.22

324

Customer service

42% (134)

41% (132)

10% (31)

2% (6)

0.6% (2)

5.3% (17)

4.05

322

Your overall experience

45% (146)

41% (134)

10% (33)

2% (8)

0.3% (1)

4.28

323

Source: Q31: How would you rate the following elements of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in 2014? (Please select one answer per row). Base: 328 respondents. 43 explanatory comments. An average rating of between 4 and 5 indicates that the majority of respondents scored that element as either Good or Very Good. The closer to 5, the more that variable has been rated Very Good. 50

43 respondents provided additional comments to explain the ratings attributed to each element of the Festival. These comments are detailed below: Constructive • • • • • • • • • •

Think there could be wider variety. Just wish the festival would host comedy stand-up gigs. As I'm over 50, I found that the amount of events for my age group was limited. I did attend one event and it was excellent as were the venue and staff. Bring back the Guinness spot! Classical music content was rather limited. Some of the venues I found rather awkward, Clonard, St. Gerard’s not good venues. Better central locations should be chosen. Descriptions of some events could be more realistic and clearer for those who do not know anything about some individual events. It appears I am being critical. For those who love the arts the Festival had more of an appeal. For those of us who are middle of the road I don't think it appealed as much. Obviously a Festival is going to highlight differing artists but I think a better variety would be more appealing to me personally. I would like to see more well known acts - I do like the acts not from Northern Ireland and I think this is where the festival could differentiate itself from the proliferation of other festivals in Belfast. I would have gone to more if publicity had targeted me more effectively, and the range of events expanded. I attended Bettye Lavette and Diane Reeves as I have an interest in soul/jazz music. They were indeed fantastic, however it would have been good to see some younger, energetic singers!

Negative •

•

There was no comedy which was a disappointment. Also, there were problems with ticketing. I booked early, but my tickets eventually arrived on the morning of the second event and too late for the first one. When I called the ticket office before the first event, I was given several vague explanations about why the tickets hadn't arrived and was then told not to worry as I didn't really need them anyway, just the booking ref. if that's the case, why do you bother with tickets? I don't find the events very mainstream.

Source: Q31: How would you rate the following elements of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in 2014? (Please select one answer per row). Base: 328 respondents. 43 explanatory comments.

Negative continued • • • • • • • • • •

• • • •

There was not much comedy this year which we like to attend. I only attended the opening and closing Ulster Orchestra concerts in the Ulster Hall which were part of my annual Ulster Orchestra subscription. Other events in the Festival did not appeal, as increasingly they seem to concentrate on the island of Ireland, and less and less on intelligent international speakers/acts. Very few companies or ensembles brought in(e.g. Schaubühne Berlin) - seem mostly to be one-person shows, recitals, concerts, stand-ups - there used by the RSC, Scottish Opera, Orchestras, Scottish Ballet etc etc. If Edinburgh is Division 1, Belfast is no more than Division 4. My wife and I attended the Neil Cowley Trio in the Crescent Arts and arrived slightly late. There were no seats and no standing area so had to leave. This event was obviously over sold. £24 wasted! Mandela Hall - as a venue: bar service appalling - understaffed for the crowd although it was small but it may just have been a very poor team on with no ability to regroup or work smarter to resolve issues. This was the night of Sharon and the Dap Kings. Was unable to speak to a person on events telephone line....message only. I was very disappointed by the variety of events this year and only attended because someone else invited me and booked. As previously stated the festival is no longer aimed at ordinary people of Belfast - Far too exclusive. Confusion over booking through the venue or Festival office needs to be looked at. I was annoyed that, once again, a band whose music is primarily for dancing to and who are used to having a standing, moving, engaged audience was instead presented with a seated passive audience at Tamikrest. This was very frustrating for those in the audience who wanted to dance, and confusing for the band who seemed to want a lot more audience participation, and looked very relieved when we finally broke ranks, got up and danced in the aisles at the very end. There was a limited number of really interesting or different events. I can appreciate that funding is difficult now. I used to spend close to £200 on the festival (for 1 person). Now I find it difficult to find one even I’m interested in seeing. Missed the Lithuanian Shakespeare company this year. Choice not as good as previous years and events not as good. We arrived late due to taxi problems and there were no seats left. It had been over booked costing us £24. Clonard Monastery with its strong-echo acoustics was totally unsuitable for Ronal Pontinen's piano recital. There seems to be fewer events every year and less that I'd like to go to.

Source: Q31: How would you rate the following elements of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in 2014? (Please select one answer per row). Base: 328 respondents. 43 explanatory comments.

Negative continued • •

I'm not sure there were as many events which appealed to me as in the past. I don't think there was as much coverage of events (forthcoming ones included) as in past years. The sound at the Betty Lavette concert was atrocious. I emailed to report this and received a response to say they would look into it but haven't heard anything further. The sound provision at this concert in Elmwood Hall was the worst I have ever heard.

Positive • • • • • • • • •

I would have gone to more but we have difficulty getting baby sitters for our two small babies, festival desk was incredibly helpful and Stephen did a great job. All 4 events were excellent. The venues were good. They were very good value for money. I help at the Cheltenham Festival of Literature and the Belfast Festival programme was much more varied. Loved that it was not dominated by big celebs promoting books. Those who were promoting books seemed to me to be more interesting folk. Box office staff were very helpful and enthusiastic. I was so impressed by the performance I saw, that I went to see it again the following night. Thanks for bringing it here! I think Festival is starting to pick up again after some lack lustre years. I liked the site specific production in previous years and in unusual venue e.g synagogue. Spiegaltent etc.. Due to ill health I was only able to attend one event, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Volunteers were uniformly excellent! Very enjoyable.

Other • • • • •

I only attended one event so no idea about the others. No. It is hard to judge based on one event. There was one other event I tried to book but the event was sold out. It was the toddler event which seemed to book out very quickly. I only attended one event this year due to illness

Source: Q31: How would you rate the following elements of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in 2014? (Please select one answer per row). Base: 328 respondents. 43 explanatory comments.

Although almost half of respondents (49.6%) were aware of Music Club, 35.7% of respondents did not attend despite being aware that the events were taking place. 14% of respondents attended Music Club during this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Festival.

Respondent count

Percentage Yes I was aware of the Music Club but did not attend

5.6% I was not aware of the Music Club

258

44.9% 35.7%

Yes I was aware of the Music Club but did not attend

205

Yes I was aware of the Music Club and did attend

I'm not sure

Yes I was aware of the Music Club and did attend

35.7%

I was not aware of the Music Club

44.9%

13.9%

I'm not sure

5.6%

Source: Q35: Our Music Club in Elmwood Hall featured a range of soul, folk, roots, jazz & blues music in a relaxed intimate environment. Were you aware that the Music Club was taking place this year? Base: 575 respondents.

Of those respondents who attended Music Club, the top three most popular events where Bettye Lavette (17%), Tamikrest (15%) and Dianne Reeves (14%). However, the majority of respondents attending Music Club were unable to recall which specific event they had attended. Respondent count

Percentage

Bettye Lavette

17.2%

Tamikrest

14.7%

Dianne Reeves The Gloaming

16 13

13.8% 11.2%

8.6%

Bob Harris

8.6%

6.9%

5.2%

37.9%

Not sure

37.9%

The Gloaming

Lulo Reinhardt

Hey Harley/Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo Harry Manx & Gareth Davies Jones

Not sure

11.2%

Tamikrest Hey Harley/Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo

14.7% 6.9%

Dianne Reeves

13.8%

Lulo Reinhardt

8.6%

Bob Harris

8.6%

Harry Manx & Gareth Davies Jones

5.2%

Bettye Lavette

0.0%

17.2% 10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

Source: Q36: Did you attend any of the following events at the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's Music Club in 2014? (Please tick all that apply.) Base: 116 respondents.

Attendees of Music Club were largely positive about their experience, rating the intimate setting of events 4.33 on average. Interaction with artists, atmosphere and overall experience were also rated ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’. Bar Facilities received the lowest rating on average at 3.11, meaning that most attended rated this aspect of the experience as ‘Average’. Overall venue experience

4.28

Size of venue (intimate setting)

4.33

Atmosphere

4.24

Bar facilities

3.11

Interaction with artists

4.28 0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

5.00

Very good (5)

Good (4)

Average (3)

Poor (2)

Very Poor (1)

Don't know (0)

Rating Average

Response Count

Interaction with artists

4.28

Bar facilities

3.11

Atmosphere

4.24

Size of venue (intimate setting)

4.33

Overall venue experience

4.28

Source Q37: How would you rate the following elements of the Music Club at the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in 2014? (Please select one answer per row) Base: 68-70 respondents. 10 respondents provided explanatory comments.

10 respondents provided additional comments regarding their experience at Music Club. These comments are detailed below: Constructive • • • • •

Row seating in Elmwood Hall not great, so I would have preferred more tables. Would have preferred a more club-like setting - around tables rather than in rows, also, no atmosphere upstairs There were only a small no of tables in front row. I thought the whole place was going to be set up cabaret style that was disappointing. Would have been much better atmosphere and more informal if all round tables. Elmwood Hall is a great venue but see previous comment. It is frustrating for both band and audience if music is for dancing to and we are made to sit down! This happened in 2007 with Buena Vista Social Club as well.... I liked the Elmwood Hall as a venue, it definitely worked. However, I would have really enjoyed some more R&B or Soul music from a younger generation - it could have attracted a more diverse audience!

Negative • •

The sound quality was awful. Bar limited in wine choice...

Positive • • •

Excellent, Emily Barker and band were excellent and took time after concert to talk and sign. Lovely and very talented people! Fabulous venue, good sound, perfect for the occasion. It's one of the best venues in Belfast for the acoustics. Lighting was also excellent and the atmosphere is good too. if there are balcony boxes at the sides behind the large drapes why aren't they used to accommodate more people?

Of the respondents who had not attended any of this year’s Festival events, the primary reason cited was family commitments (32%), closely followed by work commitments (28%) and a lack of events of interest (28%). Almost one in five did not attend due to the cost, while less than 12% attributed lack of information as a reason for non-attendance. Respondent count

Percentage

I had too many family commitments

31.6%

I had too many family commitments

I had too many work commitments

27.6%

I had too many work commitments

I didn't see any events which interested me

27.6%

I couldn't afford the tickets

19.7%

It was too far to travel

16.2%

I meant to book tickets, but never got round to it

The events I wanted to see were already sold out

I didn't know the Festival was taking place

I didn't know which events were on

4.4%

I've been to Festival events I didn't enjoy in the past

1.3%

I'm not sure

5.3%

10.1%

I'm not sure

5.3% 31.6% 27.6% 19.7%

It was too far to travel

16.2%

The events I wanted to see were already sold out I've been to Festival events I didn't enjoy in the past

9.6% 1.3%

I didn't see any events which interested me

27.6%

9.6% I meant to book tickets, but never got round to it

7.0%

I didn't know which events were on I didn't know the Festival was taking place

0.0%

10.1% 4.4% 7.0% 10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

Source: Q38: If you didn't attend an event at the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in October 2014, was there any reason why not? (Please tick all that apply). Base: 275 respondents, 47 respondents provided ‘Other’ responses. All ‘Other’ responses have been excluded and rebased.

40.0%

Exploring ticket price and process

Nearly 80% of respondents questioned stated that tickets either very affordable, quite cheap or an acceptable cost, while only 12.9% considered tickets to be quite or very expensive. The majority of respondents (38.1%) estimated that 88% of all tickets cost less than £20. 0.3%

1.3% 7.2%

14.2%

4.7%

11.6%

5.6%

Very affordable Quite cheap Average/acceptable cost Quite costly Very expensive I'm not sure

3.9%

0.5% 13.2% 7.7%

17.3%

13.4%

60.9%

38.1%

£24

£22

£20

£18

£15

£12

£10

£8

£5

Respondent count

Percentage

Very affordable

14.2%

Quite cheap

4.7%

£24

13.2%

£22

7.7%

60.9%

373

£20

38.1%

233

13.4%

Respondent Count

Average/acceptable cost

Percentage

Quite costly

11.6%

£18 £15

17.3%

106

Very expensive

1.3%

£12

5.6%

I'm not sure

7.2%

£10

3.9%

£8

0.3%

£5

0.5%

Source: Q7: Generally, what did you think about the ticket prices for the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in 2014? (Please tick one). Base: 612 respondents.

Source: Q8: Please choose an option below to complete the following sentence: "I think that 88% of tickets for the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in 2014 cost less than ______." Base: 612 respondents.

48 respondents provided additional comments regarding ticket price. These have been categorised and grouped below: Cheap/acceptable cost •

Some events were free, can't be more affordable than that!

•

I do think that most of the tickets are an average or acceptable cost. I always compare ticket cost to the cost of a cinema ticket or a concert ticket and tell people you would pay £6 for a cinema then why would you not paid the equivalent or slightly more to go see a live event?

•

Quite cheap.

•

Cheaper than London.

Too expensive •

For a festival compared to CQAF it was very expensive.

•

Events in certain venues are quite pricey.

•

Not enough range of prices... used to lots of £5 - £10 a few years ago... smaller events mixed in with larger events.

•

Couldn't attend so didn't pay much attention to ticket prices.

•

The Festival is only for people with plenty of money & not for the vast unemployed of N Ireland.

•

Generally an acceptable cost, my tickets cost £15-20 each for the things I went to.

•

Any of the vents outside of festival time would likely have cost 10-15% more. I think the festival is fairly priced.

•

Priced at a very reasonable level that would not exclude anyone wishing to attend.

•

Perfectly priced for the entertainment provided in relation to the shows I would have been interested in.

I'd generally attend a number of events at the festival but was unable to afford to this time.

•

More affordable but still too expensive for many people.

Some of the tickets were more expensive which did have an impact on my decisions.

•

Good early bird price.

•

I found the tickets expensive, which put me off attending more performances.

•

Generally, the ticket prices were a little bit high, but considering that these are amazing productions, talks, and musicians, it was worth a bit of money. Plus, nearly every event had tickets on concession which I was able to use to defray costs.

•

Ridiculously overpriced.

•

High price in some venues like GOH.

•

I would love to attend more but I have a low income. Many working people on low incomes are excluded on grounds of cost.

Source: Q7: Generally, what did you think about the ticket prices for the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in 2014? (Please tick one). Base: 612 respondents. 48 explanatory comments.

Too expensive continued •

Most events I went to were between £15-£20, which meant I could only afford to go to a few.

•

Went to 'More than a Play' which at £7 thought was a bit steep.

•

The 4 events I attended were priced above average for Belfast prices but personally I did not feel it was too much. However there should be heavier discounts for the unemployed, students etc. to open up access to the arts.

•

Depended on the event. I couldn't see everything I wanted to as it cost too much money.

Other •

It helps that I can now purchase concessionary tickets.

•

I hadn't heard of many of the acts and wouldn't spend a lot of money on an event that maybe hit or miss.

•

The Festival faces more competition than it did 20 years ago when it was the only true arts festival in NI. I think it's lost its way in the past 10 years and has been at a loss how to compete. It looks increasingly more corporate each year. It has become quite exclusive.

•

The Belfast Festival is always the expensive boring big brother of the other local festivals like the cathedral quarter arts festival. It's bloated and it really seems geared to please Queen's Alumni. The prices mean you need to be selective - especially over such a short period - the Opera House is an expensive venue and the Bolshoi Costumes at Crumlin Road Goal excellent value, Adrian Dunbar giving a free lecture at the Lyric was inspiring. Some shows were worth the money but a few others were overpriced.

•

I would be willing to pay more for events I liked.

•

Events that came directly under the festival were affordable e.g. the Gloaming but events in other venues e.g. the ulster hall and the waterfront were expensive. Comparable to London west end prices.

•

But I appreciate that massive costs are incurred by acts that have to cross the Irish Sea - especially with sets, props, instruments etc. That mode of transport is exorbitant.

•

A range of prices for events some more affordable than others but there was a good choice.

•

Some were Good e.g. the history of the falls, some were too expensive e.g. Hey Harley (as it was so short).

•

Tickets should ideally be kept low so that events are accessible to more people. People will also be more inclined to attend multiple events.

Did not attend/purchase tickets •

Didn't get a chance to attend.

•

I didn't attend.

•

No.

•

Didn't really look at prices.

•

Have not been.

•

Knew nothing about it

•

Nothing appealed to me therefore I didn't check prices.

•

As there was nothing attractive I did not look at prices.

•

I didn't pay for any tickets so it would be unfair to comment as I don't really know.

Source: Q7: Generally, what did you think about the ticket prices for the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in 2014? (Please tick one). Base: 612 respondents. 48 explanatory comments.

While the majority of respondents (40%) stated that ticket price did not impact on their choice of events to attend in 2014, over one-third of those surveyed would have attended more events had they been able to afford it, a significant decrease of 14% when compared to 2013.

The price of the tickets wasn't a factor in choosing what I attended in 2014

Respondent count

Percentage

124

40.4%

3.9%

The price of the tickets wasn't a factor in choosing what I attended in 2014

3.3%

I could afford to go to every Festival event I wanted to attend in 2014 40.4%

I'd have gone to more Festival events in 2014 but I couldn't afford it

104

33.9%

I could afford to go to every Festival event I wanted to attend in 2014

23.8%

I didn't buy my tickets

3.9%

I'm not sure

3.3%

I'd have gone to more Festival events in 2014 but I couldn't afford it

33.9%

I didn't buy my tickets

23.8%

I'm not sure

Source: Q32: How important was ticket price in choosing what you attended at Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in 2014? (Please tick one) Base: 323 respondents. 17 respondents provided ‘Other’ responses. All ‘Other’ comments have been excluded and the responses rebased.

17 respondents provided ‘Other’ responses relating to the importance of ticket prices on their decision to attend Festival in 2014. These have been listed below: •

If the events were stronger I wouldn't be put off my ticket prices.

•

Only wanted to see the gloaming - travelled from Dublin especially.

•

Was on holidays during much of festival this year.

•

Health issues and cost were a factor this year. too many demands on my time and purse!

•

I live 60 miles away so the distance/time was a bigger factor. Would have liked to be able to attend several events in one day but times didn't work out.

•

The events at the Grand Opera House are probably the only ones I consider to be prohibitively expensive.

There were more events I would have gone to which were not necessarily so expensive but cumulatively would have mounted up beyond my budget. Please schedule more afternoon events like talks, films etc.

•

I would have gone to more if I had more time but quite busy at the moment.

•

Attended event we hosted.

•

The only event that I wanted to attend was the RUA art exhibit. I would have gone to other events if they had interested me - but they did not. Price was not an issue it was just that nothing else interested me...

•

I have to factor in hotel costs too.

•

It wouldn't be the price that would put me off....if I wanted to see something I would pay to see it.

•

I could afford to go to the events that I did, if I had more time I would've tried more events but can't comment on the cost of those, etc.

•

I bought the dance pass which made seeing more events affordable.

•

As I had to travel from Coleraine and stay over.

•

Ticket price a big factor.

•

As someone who works in the arts in Belfast on a low wage, it's very frustrating not to see what I want because of price.

On average, respondents rated the process of buying and collecting tickets as ‘Good’, with just 11 respondents rating either aspect as ‘Poor’ or ‘Very Poor’.

4.29

Collect your tickets

4.18

Buy your tickets

4.12

4.14

4.16

4.18

4.20

4.22

4.24

4.26

4.28

4.30

Rating average

Very good (5)

Good (4)

Average (3)

Poor (2)

Very Poor (1)

Don't know (0)

Rating Average

Response Count

Buy your tickets

174

4.18

325

Collect your tickets

176

4.29

307

Source: Q33: How easy was it to do the following for the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's 2014? (Please select one answer per row) Base: 327 respondents. (37 respondents provided additional comments.

34 respondents provided additional comments relating to the purchase and collection of tickets. These comments are detailed below: Constructive • • • •

Would prefer to print tickets at home rather that receiving them by post. Too many clicks and information needed to buy tickets. Suggestion.. Use PayPal. I just called the box office to check if I needed proof of ID when collecting tickets and to double check I was collecting them at performance as confirmation email not entirely clear

Negative • • • • • • • • • • • • •

As in previous answer, tickets arrived on the day of the 2nd event and too late for the first one. Tickets were supposed to be posted but were instead left at box office Had selected to collect tickets but they were posted out. Online booking was a bit of a nightmare. Granted I was doing it on a mobile device. Online facility didn't work. There seems only limited booking by phone/online. Box Office in person option should be added for those without internet access! I tried to buy on line but it just failed without giving me a message. when I eventually phoned in it was because I was trying to buy 2 tickets and there was only 1 left on the date I selected. It did not give me that message. I booked an alternative date. The event I wanted to book online said it was sold out but when I rang to check, it wasn't - there was a glitch. Had to book by phone. Some people wouldn't have bothered to ring and check, you could lose custom that way. I did not like the lack of a box office on campus. There was confusion over getting a ticket for a Mac event. I was referred to the Mac from the Festival office I bought tickets for the Crumlin Rd Bolshoi event and struggled to complete checkout on my mobile. Buying tickets for the added show for Paul Colgan was difficult online. Mobile booking site was down.

Source: Q33: How easy was it to do the following for the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's 2014? (Please select one answer per row) Base: 327 respondents. 34 respondents provided additional comments.

Positive • • • • •

I decided to book this year by telephone at the Festival box office and found the member of staff very helpful and friendly. Hadn't booked first time round as website page zoned out. Was waiting for tickets to arrive as received email to confirm booking. Had to phone to check very very helpful tickets sent out at no charge. Booked online - very easy and tickets were posted in good time. Tickets were issued to my home address conveniently. I did have to wait for a while but this was due to them not being printed until closer to the start of the festival I believe. Tickets booked by phone - very efficient and friendly system. I would have booked online but there didn't seem to be a facility to book specific seats in the theatre so I rang instead.

Other • Friends did this so I don't know. • Tickets posted out. • I didn't buy tickets for the Festival at Queen's - I bought them as part of my package annual subscription to the Ulster Orchestra. • My partner ordered them and they were posted out. • My tickets were booked through normal subscription to the Ulster Orchestra my tickets were posted to me I did not collect them. • Tickets were posted out to me. • Sent by post. • They were bought and collected by a friend. • Bought my ticket at the door. • Please see earlier written comment. • Printed at home,. • My husband sorted it out so very easy!!

Over 60% of respondents purchased their tickets online through the Festival website. Following this, the other main avenues used were directly through the venues and by phone through Festival Box Office. Respondent count

Percentage

On the internet at www.belfastfestival.com

196

62.4%

Through the venue directly (in advance of the event)

18.2%

By phone through the Festival Box Office

16.2%

Important Note: The high level of online sales here is another possible indication that these results could be skewed towards a more online audience. A comparison Someone else booked my tickets for me

13.1%

At the venue (when you arrived at the event)

8.9%

should be made against booking records to see how offline and online sales compared in volumes, and how

I won them as a competition prize

5.1%

Through the Ulster Bank Community Ticketing scheme

1.6%

advance sales and sales on the door compared. If the percentage of online bookers is less than 62% then this

I got corporate tickets through work

1.6%

Through Ulster Bank Nights For Belfast Scheme

1.0%

I'm not sure

0.6%

may be over-representing online bookers.

Source: Q34: How did you purchase/obtain your tickets for the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in 2014? Base: 327 respondents, 13 respondents provided an ‘Other’ response. All ‘Other’ comments have been excluded and the responses rebased. Other responses can be found in Appendix One.

I'm not sure

0.6%

Someone else booked my tickets for me

13.1%

Through Ulster Bank Nights For Belfast Scheme

1.0%

I got corporate tickets through work

1.6%

Through the Ulster Bank Community Ticketing scheme

1.6%

I won them as a competition prize At the venue (when you arrived at the event)

5.1% 8.9%

Through the venue directly (in advance of the event)

18.2%

On the internet at www.belfastfestival.com

62.4%

By phone through the Festival Box Office 0.0%

16.2% 10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

Economic impact

Just 3.7% of those surveyed stated that they stayed in paid accommodation within Belfast in order to attend Festival events. However, the majority of attendees (65%) did not stay overnight in Belfast, meaning that they travelled into the City for the event despite not staying overnight. Of those who did stay overnight, half stayed for just one night. Respondent count

Percentage

Yes, I live in Belfast

29.1%

127

Yes, I stayed with friends

2.1%

Yes, I stayed at paid accommodation No, I did not stay overnight

3.7%

65.2%

285

Yes, I live in Belfast

Respondent count^

Percentage

1 night

50.0%

2-4 nights

38.9%

5-7 nights

5.6%

More than 7 nights

5.6%

1 night

5.6% 5.6%

Yes, I stayed with friends

29.1%

2-4 nights 50.0%

65.2%

2.1% 3.7%

Yes, I stayed at paid accommodation No, I did not stay overnight

Source: Q39: Did you stay overnight in Belfast to attend the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's? Base: 437 respondents.

38.9%

5-7 nights

More than 7 nights Source: Q40: How many nights did you spend in paid accommodation in Belfast while attending Festival events? Base: 18 respondents. ^Base is less than 20 and therefore indicative only.

12 respondents provided a monetary spend on accommodation incurred as a result of attending a Festival event. Of these 12, the average amount spent was £118.92 per person. All responses are listed below.: • • • • • • • • • • • •

£120 £350 £90 £120 for 2 people so that accommodation and meals dinner and breakfast £70 £100 £120 £80 £120 £55 £150 £52

Important Note: The base size for this question is less than 20, therefore, responses are indicative only.

Source: Q41: Approximately how much did you spend on paid accommodation throughout your stay in Belfast for the Festival? Base: 12 respondents.

Exploring audience opinions

While almost one third of respondents stated that they will definitely attend 2015 Festival, over 40% indicated that it would depend on next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programming. Only 4 respondents (0.7%) will definitely not be attending next year. Almost half of respondents would definitely recommend attending Festival to a family member or friend, while a further 35% probably would. Only 2 respondent definitely would not recommend Festival. 0.7%

3.5%

0.3% I definitely would

5.6% 31.2%

I'll definitely be attending next year I might be attending next year

11.9%

22.0%

I definitely won't be attending in 2015 I don't know yet

I'm not sure

49.0%

It depends on the programming

40.5%

I probably would

I probably wouldn't

35.3%

I definitely wouldn't

Respondent count

Percentage

I definitely would

280

49.0%

31.2%

I probably would

202

35.3%

126

22.0%

I'm not sure

11.9%

I don't know yet

5.6%

I probably wouldn't

3.5%

I definitely won't be attending in 2015

0.7%

I definitely wouldn't

0.3%

Respondent count

Percentage

It depends on the programming

232

40.5%

I'll definitely be attending next year

179

I might be attending next year

Source: Q42: How likely are you to attend the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's in 2015? (Please tick one). Base: 573 respondents.

Source: Q45: How likely would you be to recommend attending an Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's event to your family or friends? (Please tick one). Base: 572 respondents.

44 respondents provided additional comments concerning their likelihood to return next year. These comments are detailed below: Constructive • • • • • • • • • •

Come on do something different and shake things up! I really hope that I will be spoilt for choice next year and have to take a week off work to fit it all in! With so much entertainment in Belfast throughout the year is there a need for a specific Belfast Festival at Queens? Pricing is main issue I would book more events if they were of interest, need better classical concerts, e.g. opera, lieder, chamber music, piano recitals, orchestral with international artist. I'd like events that are more out of the ordinary - not what has been shown elsewhere during the year. Hopefully venues will be able to accommodate everyone who buys a ticket. Better choice of UK and local jazz artists.... Better music events would be good. I appear to have disappeared from the Festival's mailing lists both manual and electronic. I therefore missed the opportunity to organise sufficiently in advance to permit attendance.

Explanatory/Contingent responses • • • • • • • • • • •

There is a good variety therefore I know there will be a few events that I will want to attend. It looks interesting and may be something I would go to. Depends on what’s on offer and price of tickets. Would like to but depends on work travel and babysitting. Some of the more Avant garde programming is not to my taste and in the present climate it is not worth paying for something unknown. Depends entirely on the acts. I will, as always, examine the programme and, if I find any event that is interesting enough, I will buy a few tickets and attend with family/friends. If I can afford to do so I'll attend next year. I'm visiting Queen's Professor from States- I would love to come back, but bit of travel/$$ logistics :) Quality of family events will decide what I book. Will depend if I can afford to or not. 75

Explanatory/Contingent responses continued • • • • • •

I live in Tokyo so it depends on if I am back in Belfast visiting family. I will definitely attend if there are events I am interested in. Depends on whether. It is possible to get tickets to any events. I would attend if I'm in Belfast but I'm likely to be away from Belfast at this time next year. Depending on programming and prices. It really all depends on whether I'm interested in the performers. For me, personally, I would appreciate more R&B/Soul musicians as they rarely get a chance to perform in Belfast or Ireland in general, and it would be a fantastic opportunity to get them over for the festival!

Negative • In keeping with previous years; the festival was full of events which were of limited and marginal interest only. the theatre program just used plays which would have run in any event. I had not heard of most of the musical acts and the range of talks (once a highlight of the festival) were dismal. For a second year - there was no specific comedy content. • No

Positive • • • • • • • • • • •

I have attended for 50 years and will go on attending for as long as I can! I make a point of going to at least two or three events every year. I enjoy the arts and like to support events. I have also been introduced to new styles of events by attending concerts Keep up the good work! I do always find there are one or two events I want to attend. It is a great festival with events I would not usually have the opportunity to experience. Also the venues are great as they are much more suited for live entertainment. I hope to make a greater effort to attend cultural events - both for my own pleasure but also because I am fearful for our cultural future with cuts in funding. It's an essential part of Belfast/N. Ireland's cultural calendar and deserves support. I hope it grows more, goes to more parts of the city and more unusual venues. Bring Betty back! Love the overall experience and the international line up of acts, fantastic for Belfast. I'm sure there will be something I'll want to see.

Almost three-quarters of all respondents believe it is quite or very important that Festival includes premieres of completely new or never before performed work in Northern Ireland. Only 39 respondents (4%) believed that this was unimportant.

Respondent count Very important

219

Percentage 1.9% 38.2%

Very important

1.7%

4.9% Quite important

Quite important

205

35.7% 17.6%

Average importance

101

17.6%

Quite unimportant

4.9%

1.9%

Not sure

1.7%

Average importance Quite unimportant

35.7% Completely unimportant

38.2%

Completely unimportant Not sure

Source: Q44: How important do you feel it is that each year the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's includes premieres of completely new work or work never before performed in Northern Ireland? Base: 574 respondents.

318 respondents included suggestions of performers, artists and events they would like to see next year. Music • Blues musicians. • More music, blues, folk, jazz, world. • Blues artists. • Blues and Jazz musicians...in previous years there had been some wonderful artists playing and would like that to continue. No particular choice of artist. • Bluegrass, roots etc. style performers. • Love to see some of the acts I could not see at this years event, such as Harry Manx and Gareth Davies Jones, Lulo Reinhardt, the toddler sensory event (replay-Tiny) and Muriel Anderson which I had the pleasure of seeing at this year's festival - Superb! Also Crowe medicine which I believe put on quite show, so I am told. Any other live blues, or guitar based music. • More REAL blues. More early and sacred music. • Classical, jazz and trad music performed at a reasonable time and venues which are welcoming of children. • I enjoy the eclectic mix of music , theatre, performance and art. No particular likes, Ulster Orchestra is always good. An international performer probably draws locals, and others. • A bit more classical music . • Any classical music. World music, particularly Portuguese fado which you have programmed in the past.

•

• •

More classical music, especially early music both vocal and instrumental. Till Fellner, Andras Schiff, Christian Gerharer/Gerold Huber, Annette Dasch, Diana Damrau, Dorothea Roschmann, Rene Jacobs (Akadamie fur Alte Musik, Berlin), Freiburger Baroque Orchester.Academy of Ancient Music, Andrew Manze, Dunedin Consort/John Butt, Paul O'Dette, Hille Perl & Lee Santana, Daniel Sepec, Jose Miguel Moreno, Jordi Savall, Nicholas Harnoncourt (Concentus Musicus Wien), Wiener Philharmoniker (Franz Welser-Most), Jonas Kaufmann, Andreas Staier, Claudio Cavina (La Venexiana), Konrad Junghanel, Marie-Sophie Pollak, Angelika Kirschschlager Andreas Scholl, Lawrence Zazzo, Orlando Consort, Peter Waldner, The Sixteen (Harry Christophers), Tallis Scholars, Cardinalls Musick (Andrew Carwood), Magnificat (Philip Cave),Dorothee Oberlinger, Anton Steck, Benjamin Schmidt,Gabrieli Consort (Paul McCreesh), Paul Lewis, Huelgas Ensemble (Paul van Nevel), English Concert, Richard Egarr, London Baroque, Leipzig String Quartet, Fabio Biondi, Nigel North, Ensemble Clement Janequin (Dominique Visse), Maurizio Pollini, Maria Erlacher, Gli incogniti (Amandine Beyer), Christoph Rousett, Cantus Colln. Yann Tiersen, more contemporary classical. GWAR.

•

• • • • • • •

• •

Orchestral concerts (possibly with a visiting orchestra) featuring big orchestral works e.g. Mahler symphonies. A return visit from the Berlin company that performed 'An enemy of the people' or another prestigious theatre company. A wide range of talks, a really enjoyable aspect of the Festival. Jazz (contemporary and mainstream, not avantgarde) Chamber music International drama Music in decent venues, like the Elmwood, which are accessible for disabled such as I am. Churches are a no-go area. Consideration of acoustics for all music (Great Hall not good for most chamber and piano recitals). More contemporary music and theatre Pussy Riot. Musical events of all types. Local and international jazz artists Parker Millsap who was support for Old Crow Medicine Show this year. Also, some comedy please! Gillian Welch, Reverend Peytons big damn band old crow medicine show (generally prefer Americana/roots music) The 4 Of Us. Therapy? Francis Dunnery. Boo Hewerdine. Ian McNabb. Robert Plant. Sisters Of Mercy. Manic Street Preachers. Peter Murphy. Henry Rollins. Ulster Orchestra and Black Dyke Band. World music.

•

• • •

• • • • • • • • • •

I do like the surprise of relatively unknowns but I miss the days of the Folk Club in the Old Library. This doesn't necessarily mean that similar people are not playing somewhere but I'm not as aware of these events as in the past. More folk e.g. Cara Dillon Barbara Dickson type and jazz easy listening. Also small drama productions like Bewleys cafe at lunch hour. prose reading . Grayson Perry, exhibition and talk Alice Cooper and John Grant and if possible Iggy Pop. Brad Mehldau, any of the Marsalis family, Cassandra Wilson, Andy Sheppard, Tommy Smith, Modern dance, contemporary theatre. Just keep doing what you are doing! Please, bring back Lulo Reinhardt Latin Project band. They were different class. Thank you. Van Morrison RSC Abbey Theatre Leonard Cohen Brian Friel. Wider range of music. Traditional music 117th & 8th century classical concerts. More folk acts. Hot Tuna ,pogirl, Little feat,song dog, ratdog.roger mcguinn, al stewar. More jazz, contemporary dance. More jazz; please bring back the Guinness Spot Quality folk / Rock / Americana musical acts. Elvis Costello, Willie Nile. A wider variety of international musicians would be ideal. This year, hearing Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings was an amazing, welcome change to the musical scene in Belfast. This is a chance to provide people an opportunity to try something they've never seen or heard before. more jazz please 79

• • • • •

•

• • • • • • • •

Julie Feeney, Luka Bloom, Duke Special, Pat Kinevane, Petra Kindler. Folk, Country, Traditional. Bellowhead Show of Hands General folk music. Jazz and Bluegrass. Bring back the Guinness Spot and bring back the incredible Jazz program of the 80s and 90s. I'd prefer to see 2-3 great local UK acts in an intimate venue that 1 Gregory Porter/Sharron Jones. Music and film are primary in influencing people to go out for a night, if these are not prominent in the festival the other acts will suffer interest, I found the music and film very poor, again why do other festivals such as CQAF and Real Music Club feature good popular artistic talent ,once again I think you are too "detached" from modern festival activity in the city. Would like to see Roddy Woomble/iIlewild. Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Paloma Faith, John Legend. Some good stand-up comdedians. Alabama 3. More jazz, better drama, this year's was too obscure. There is no longer any comedy, is that because of the separate comedy festival? More world music. Fado. Dulra. Music that isn't readily available anywhere else in Ireland. Manouche,gipsy jazz Billy Bragg. Ian mcnabb, toyah, solo gigs from established group artists, acoustic gigs. Pentatonix Altus Bound by Gravity The Hype Ulster Youth Choir.

•

• • • • • • • •

From States, bluegrass jam bands Leftover Salmon, Railroad Earth, or Yonder Mtn String Band would be embraced acts like Old Crow was. The Decemberists would be perfect for the festival but I doubt they are touring. I suggest looking into John Hiatt, Sonny Landreth, or Lucinda Williams for the Music Club, but might be too pricey. Chris Robinson Experience (member of Black Crowes) is an excellent jam band. Other good picks from States that might be affordable: John Butler trio, Jonny Lang, Keb Mo, more varied modern and alternative musical acts. I think CQAF has more to offer than Belfast Festival at Queens, having a stronger bill of artists. So in future i would like to see artists like Julie Feeney, Cathy Davey, Brad Mehldau, Agnes Obel, Juana Molina, Lykke Li, Shelby Lynne, Rich Hall, Regina Spektor, Bell X1, Maria Taylor, Martin Simpson, Lissie, Laura Veirs, Jack Lukeman, Jack Savoretti. Obviously it depends on whether any of the above have an album to promote but there's a mixture of local and international artists listed above who would fit into the Festival demographic. Tim Key More funk and soul artists. Middle Eastern & North African folk music. Foy Vance Bob Geldof Sinead O'Connor Emily Barker and the RED CLAY Halo Jazz, blues, rockabilly, swing dancing exhibitions, vintage fair/frock around the clock, anything 40s/50s. The Gloaming, Jazz. Martin Simpson. Julia Beal. The Unthanks. The Barr Brothers. June Tabor. Informal conversations with individuals in the rock n roll music industry.

• • • •

• • • • •

• • • •

• •

Music and plays and exhibitions. More international classical music and current events. More types of music. Eric Bibb, Juliet Turner, Lucinda Williams, Simone Felice, Grainne Duffy. Jools Holland, Seamie O'Dowd, Lunasa, Clannad, The National, The Wailers . More cutting edge new music acts at the music club. Carnival Saloon, Duke Special. THE ULSTER ORCHESTRA Pink Martini RSC Zurich Opera. I would love to see any Portuguese singers or musicians... And Spanish dancers please...I would love to some Irish dance performers as well because I just love it! Many thanks. World music events, more traditional music, music/bands that appeal to a younger audience, The Ollam, Nitin Sawhney (again!), Alt J Betty Lavette. More JAzz acts. Bellowhead, Tim Minchin, Marcus Brigstocke, Karine Polwart, Lau, Kris Drever and Eamon Coyne, Laura Marling, The Staves, Tinariwen, Chris Wood, Ray Mears, Rhod Gilbert, Paul Foot, David Mitchell, Ben Aaronvitch, Blowzabella, Stewart Lee, Thea Gilmore, Barry Kerr, Ben Folds, Alisdair Fraser, Buena Vista Social Club, Brad Mehldau, John Tams, More music artists. Van Morrison in the Elmwood Hall Ray Davies Efterklang (new project as yet unnamed) Pink Martini - I have tweeted the Festival about this but got no response!

• • • • • •

• • • •

•

• • • •

Really enjoyed top flamenco artist, love the chance to see quality international acts. Jazz, roots and world music all interesting. Jazz, author talks, classic movies, challenging/humorous theatre. Some mainstream jazz. Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Duke special. Wider range of music, drama, comedy and readings. Less esoteric QFT movies. John Cooper Clarke, John Shuttleworth, Annie Lennox, RSC (or at least some Shakespeare), Van Morrison, David Byrne. Perhaps bigger international music acts The Berlin Philharmonic (though Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra or Dresden Staatskapelle would do I suppose). Metal genre. Chopin piano event- like 2010 Festival where local musicians booked a Chopin piano playing timed slot & played on baby grand piano in lobby of City Hall. I would like some more modern R&B/Soul music and perhaps a little more mainstream -- people like Syleena Johnson, Beverley Knight, Faith Evans, etc... Some country music wouldn't go a miss, also! Mime, saxophone playing, drumming. soul singers, funk, blues, jazz, poetry. As much soul ,blues and jazz as possible. Northern soul night. 81

Comedy • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

•

• • • • •

More comedy and drama. I particularly enjoy comedy events. Stand-up comedians please. More comedy and always include a blues artist. Any comedy events, the lack of them this year was the reason I did not attend. Comedy night, the one with a few comedians on. Good comedians - quality actors in talks. sports stars in talks. Comedy More well known performers. Comedy - including theatre and stand-up. More comedy productions / shows. More comedy. Bring back the Amnesty Comedy Night! More comedy, more music "conversations”. More comedians Definitely more folk, rock, punk and fusion bands American country. Comedy, mix of music, plays. Comedians. I would like to see more comedy at the festival in 2015. Comedians, humorous plays / plays in exclusive venues, family or children's events, contemporary music, talks from contemporary writers, actors, anybody interesting, interactive events, art for all, films in odd venues, etc....... Not sure - top comedians. More talks Less comedy. Comedians Rock artists. More Comedy. More comedy events.

Tommy Emmanuel Dara O'Briain Jeff Beck Buddy Guy Suede Comedy Not sure - top comedians. More talks Less comedy. Comedians Rock artists. More Comedy. More comedy events. More comedy performances. Comedy & drama.

• • • • • • • • •

Dance • • • • • • • • • • • • •

I love dance and go to see a dance act each year, but next year I wish to see something a little lighter and funnier also. More dance i.e. ballet Gymnastical dancers Flamenco. Flamenco dance and music. Modern dance. Modern Dance events swing or jazz music while dining choral music in St. Anne’s cathedral. Themed dance events would be fun - retro nites More European Artists again - German, French, perhaps some Dutch modern dance troupes? Definitely dance and world music, perhaps something to do with acrobatics also? More contemporary dance - I have loved these performances. More dance workshops for kids, maybe some well know pop acts. Good variety of dance performances. 82

•

Dance especially Flamenco.I could not get to the S.American dance company but it looked great. Usually underrepresented except for ballet. Talks by Irish authors, poets or artists or talks by prominent film makers. Blues music. Choirs. Flamenco guitar or classical guitar music programme. Anything to do with dance.

Drama • •

• • • • •

• • • •

The Royal Shakespeare Co, Northern Broadside, Theatre de Complicite, Footsbarn (again!) Enemy of the People' was terrific and I'd like to see more theatre events of this international calibre. Drama. Really enjoyed 'the suit' will look out for similar events next year. Schaubühne Berlin. Ed Sheeran. Ian McKellen. Maggy Smith. The Gloaming - event was sold out when I tied to get tickets this year. Royal Shakespeare Company loved their visits in the past and do miss them! More theatre - promenade performances in interesting locations. More relaxed, informal fringe events Wider variety of talks More author readings. European theatre. The Gloaming RSC or equivalent West End Theatrical productions. Traditional theatre productions including traditional presentations of Shakespeare plays. More of the kind of stuff we can't see the rest of the year. More international theatre.

•

• •

•

• • •

•

I particularly enjoy plays with a 'NI' humour. I think the overall selection is excellent and the organisers do a great job of including unexpected events which I wouldn't have thought of or known about. It would be nice to see more traditional plays on offer. Perhaps on tour from mainland GB? more drama and talks RSC, abbey theatre, Matthew Bourne dance, contemporary music, not just touring acts but one off , stand alone performances more drama dance & international content. Bring back the Schaubühne Berlin! Bring in other theatre companies, in other languages! In the past, and we're going back some time, I saw Trafford Tanzi, a 'play' set in a wrestling ring. I helped the National Theatre of Brent re-enact the film Zulu. I saw Michael Palin on both his visits. We took our son to an act where the artist changed his appearance with a set of large cards attached to his body. We need acts like this. We need an edge. Knee High Theatre Company are an excellent company, their performances are spectacular. Liverpool Lantern Company provide an innovative inclusive workshop and performance opportunity to include community and schools. Michael Palin. I'd like to see a wider range of drama including more international companies. I enjoy theatre productions, humorous and serious plays, dance and musical events. I simply enjoy having access to a variety of events , many provide me with the opportunity to experience something different / exciting i.e. the Brazilian ballet on the 31 st October was fabulous ! So I am happy to await the 2015 programme . More plays please, not enough this year. More Grupo Corpo – stunning. 83

•

• •

• • •

• • • • • • •

My preference is theatre but I like to be surprised. An enemy of the people and Night Dances were both excellent. I really enjoyed "guidelines for a happy life" which was on a few years ago, more stuff like that....:) Ciaran hinds, Liam Neeson drama light opera I would love to see some of the Polish performance, theatre and come to the jazz or blues concert. This year the German group was absolutely great :D Marie Jones. More international theatre. Lithuanian Shakespeare company, Michael Palin, Marcus du Sautoy, RSC, Globe theatre, interesting international theatre. More local and emerging companies represented. Bjork! Brandon LaBelle. More sound art. More performance art. International theatre and contemporary dance. More classical music. Spiegeltent RSC and more theatre such as Chekhov and 18 and 19th century drama...in other words drama that doesn't usually come to Belfast. Terem Quartet, Otava Yo, more theatre (there seems to have been more about 10 years ago...). More theatre please.

Other • More Visual Arts events or maybe family/childorientated cultural events. • More unusual bands/artists that otherwise we wouldn't get over here. Open people's minds and bring in international gems.

• More French language acts - we loved the Rhinoceros act last year and are still talking about it We loved the international acts in previous years We would like to see more plays. • Another circus event would be brilliant. • U B always have a wonderful selection of artists & events. Only trouble is ... life get's in the way sometimes. • James McMurtry, Rodney Crowell. Paul Rodgers, James Taylor. • Mick Flannery or John Spillane. • I understand that cost and availability are the main drivers when booking acts but would like to see some more adventurous bookings. • Steed Lord, The 2 Bears. • Not sure, • Bring someone like Enio Morricone again. it was fantastic. Unforgettable experience. • I am open to seeing any performer, artist or event that experts provide for me. • Camille Brown. • Alejandro Escovedo, Great Lake Swimmers, Lucinda Williams, Emily Barker? Vena Portae, Jason Isbell, The New Pornographers, Caitlin Cary, Caitlin Rose, Calexico, Jackson Browne, Don Henley, Jenny Lewis Denison Witmer, William Fitzsimmons, Ron Sexsmith. • None specifically. • Christine Tobin. • I think the festival covers a wide spectrum of artists and performers.

• • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• Can't think of anyone at the moment. Antoine Defoort and Halory Goerger. Open to offers. The enchanted garden. More music world music and jazz. Photographic exhibitions but interesting real photography no pictures badly taken dressed up as art. The Fall or Super Furry Animals. More of the same. For me the varied programme is a big attraction and having attended Queens more years ago then I• care to remember, the venues are also an attraction. • Daan, Tindersticks Tom Doughty. Efterklang. • Nick Mulvey Bonnie Prince Billy. • Beth Hart. • I like a variety so I just watch to see who is on. • Tiger lillies. • Russell Maliphant's Rodin, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's Faun, • Sylvie Guillem. • Would like to see smaller, intimate, casual events in cafes, bars etC.. • Festival needs to evolve with the times - maybe have an event• around the theme of "playing games". • Another varied collection like this year Chatham County Line• Scott H Biram Paul Akister. • Therapy? • Not sure. • Pina Bausch • Circus. • Royal Deluxe. Cirque de soleil. • No comment. • Claire Martin, Ian Shaw, Liane Carroll, Carol Kidd...list goes on…

I like the talks by well known, intelligent people. I like music but I don't like the Elmwood Hall much as a venue. Must have got too old for the young 'comedians'! I've never had any interest in ballet etc or operatic singing. Some plays that are supposed to be wonderful bore me to death. I have attended some duff events in the past, this does tend to put me off- are these people likely to be truly 'original or innovative'- or really just crap?! Less inclined to spend the money and take a chance I suppose. Surprise me. One man show of a famous personality e.g. Maureen Lipman. The boy with tape on his face. Magic Gardens at Botanic to come back. Fascinating Aida. Grupo Corpo again. They were amazing. Gandini juggling project s new show. Bon Iver. I like to be surprised, and discover new artists that will delight and diversify my music tastes. Ray LaMontagne Seasick Steve. The gloaming Bring the Gloaming back! Don't know. Brendan O’Carroll. I'm happy to experience new acts. Same range of events as this year. Dawes. I have faith in the festival programers, but what about Richard Thompson? Charles Lloyd Continue to bring new and exciting acts to the city please.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Happy to see a variation of performers/artists/events - generally all very well represented. New Circus. Anything non mainstream. More innovative and interactive acts. Paul Heaton and Jacqueline Abbott. The National Stuart Lee. No point in answering this - whoever has something to sell basically. The Olllam more cinema / contemporary music artists Na Any. I have an open mind to music and arts Richard Thompson Anna Calvi Kaki King . Better films in QFT. I like musical events, films and guest speakers, so please keep on providing excellent varied programme. Broader range of films Maddy Prior.

Family • • • • • • •

More children’s’ and family events. More stuff for children please I do like the talks / interview events that happen. I also like family inclusive events also. Family events. Children’s entertainment. Replay the tiny show was fabulous. More family - child friendly events. Several years ago you had excellent events for kids like 'there's a monster in my piano'!! More of these please. Okay we loved Hannavas but it was about the only thing for my two young boys which is a pity.

International • More known international work. • More drama, particularly productions by national or international companies, that we wouldn't otherwise get to see here. National theatre, Abbey theatre, plays from other English-speaking cultures. • JAPANESE TEMPLE DRUMERS. • For many years I was a volunteer at the Festival and there were many different events and speakers, without an emphasis on Irish ethnicity. I would like to see a return to that. another play from the famous berlin theatre group or obscure but modern serious international theatre groups . modern dance international artists classical music More international e.g. Sub-Saharan jazz, south American. • More international artists being brought into Belfast as well as a showcase of local talent...just as the current schedule shows. More of the same type. • Foreign language theatre - Brian Friel in Serbian. Shakespeare in Lituanian from last year. • More international drama • Caitriona O'Leary, Ana Moura, Celso Antunes, Väsen, La Bottine Souriante, Natalie McMaster, Carlos do Carmo, Antonio Zambujeiro, Juan Diego de Jerez (Flamenco Guitar), Lena Willemark, Mayra Andrade, Jorge Pardo (Flamenco Flute), Dúlra, Miguel Poveda, Paulinho da Viola, JPP, Pedro da Castro (Guitarra Portuguesa), Yasmin Levy, Naftule's Dream, Klezmatics, l'Occidentale de Fanfare (Francis Mounier), Teofile Chantre, Michael Collins (Clarinet), Cassiopeia Winds, Matthias Loibner (Hurdy Gurdy). • I studied foreign languages at Queens - French, German and Spanish so I would be interested in events from 86 and about these countries

• More GB/international contemporary dance. • More Soul and Smoothe Jazz artists and international dance and music acts. • More must see national and international. • More Saharan acts more international artists • A broad range of international acts, everything from dance to music to drama to comedy. A little bit of everything! • A greater range of international companies.

Local • Local school choirs performing Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem Local drama groups Participatory workshops involving music and movement for all the family. An evening with Russell Brand or Jon Snow (C4) Less contemporary dance. • Local artists. • More local performances by local theatre/dance companies, more family oriented performances (there was no theatre for kids/families bar the cahoots mini preview), more theatre in general: I miss the RSC and that calibre of company. Less random 'international' events and some proper theatrical/dance performances. Sadly the festival is not what it used to be. Could do much, much better. • More local poets reading their own poems. More well known poets reading. • Belfast-based classical, jazz & folk musicians. • Local performers, open mike, local plays. • I particularly enjoy plays with a 'NI' humour. I think the overall selection is excellent and the organisers do a great job of including unexpected events which I wouldn't have thought of or known about.

• Local new writers. • Local authors giving talks, better music choices, more operatic content. • More local talent. • I would like to see more Irish Artists. • Irish writers e.g. Donal Ryan. Glenn Patterson. It would be great if the MAC put their drums on during and not after the festival. Abbey theatre production. • More Northern Irish / Irish poets, outside of the usual suspects. There's a great wealth of writers out there, from lots of presses. • New local artists. • Marie Jones. • More local and emerging companies represented. • Any local artists

Literary/talks • More writers & talks Better family shows Less obscure plays. • More literary events, readings, etc. • Provocative speakers like Richard Dawkins, Peter Hitchens. War reporters & photographers. Inspirational speakers like Malala. Plus, interactive events for children & teens in dance, acting & art. • Interesting talks from a variety of sources and locations • More poetry and local literature. • Talks on adventure / exploration Literature talks and more theatre. • Historians or political commentators such as John Pilger, Michael Moore. • More talks by writers e.g. Hilary Mantel or Noam Chomsky possibly impossible. • More journalists. 87

• I love listening to lectures by the great intellectuals. Some names that spring to mind are Mary Beard, Shami Chakarbati, Owen Jones, Jude Kelly. I would pay well to hear them. • Something of the order of Ennio Morricone, or spaggetti western orchestra, or a Micheal Palin, or Roy Keane Q&A • Carol Anne Duffy Com Toibin. • More literature, less folk music, more modern dance/electro to attract a younger crowd. • Inspiring speakers. • Jon Snow. • More talks focused on politics, human rights, learning about other countries etc. • Literary events.

158 respondents included provided additional comments. These are detailed below: Constructive • • • • • • • •

• • • • •

Work with smaller festivals and ask them who they'd love to get over to Belfast who's going to be great - then collaborate to get them in. This year seemed to be on a much smaller scale. We loved all the plays in previous years. This year's French play was too dark for a family to attend with teenagers and put us all off More GWAR please. Ditch Ulster Bank as main sponsor... Simplify online programme and search. It's very badly marketed. Regarding question 33. I wish these two things weren't together. I don't think it is important that the festival premieres new work but I do think it is essential that it gives people here an opportunity to see work which has never been performed in NI before. I would have liked to have received the full brochure through the post in advance of the festival. I think I would have gone to more events if I had had a paper brochure. The online version isn't so easy to use, so I did not peruse it fully. I did not see any of the full brochures available to pick up in any of the places I visit. Maybe fewer were produced/distributed this year. I am much more likely to look thoroughly through a paper brochure. Keep bringing back the good ones and replace the not so good with the new finds; but keep the goodies!! Perhaps the concept of a 2 week wide ranging festival is out-dated .Would 3/4 day mini festivals throughout the year focusing on certain aspects of the arts be more appropriate? keep up the good work. My father would like to see more classical music events. Some events appear to be too exclusive and may prohibit attendance - cost would be considered - promotion can be perceived as a bit yaya More information about the brand new acts - to encourage attendance. Much improved this year compared to last 3 years, keep up with the improvements Quality of classical music content does need improving to include international performers, especially those in early/baroque music. Don't overplay its importance - comparison with Edinburgh is untenable and unfoundable ... in many ways it's an accumulation of lots of one-person local gigs .. lots of exciting work particularly in drama goes on throughout the year so that it's harder to make the festival provision special. 89

Constructive continued • •

•

• •

More events for family and children. Improve the bill, I used to go to the festival and would've had to edit my choices as there was so much to see. Unfortunately that hasn't been the case for a number of years - probably due to a reduced budget on the part of the Festival organisers but some/most of the artists i have listed in Q.26 shouldn't be that expensive to book I'd have thought. I don't like the word 'bank' being associated with a cultural festival. There didn't used to be a Festival and we were all still quite okay without it. It's got, and has always had, that creepy, 'culture vulture' connotation and many people see it as a pursuit for the well-off or the idle rich/posh-dudes. Now there are now three "festivals" in Belfast, the Queens one, the one up the Falls Road and the Queens Film Theatre Film Festival - I don't think three are needed. I think these events are largely ignored by the N Ireland rural population. Then of course, there is the Waterfront Hall, Ulster Hall and all these do the music stuff. I really think that no one would miss this Festival if it went away. Answer to the above would depend on the programming - when the Festival programme is good, the whole experience is great. In the past, I have attended two events in the one evening because there was so much to see. But times seem to have changed and I think that is down to budget. I have the impression it is hard to get as many big names as in the past. If I lived in Belfast if probably attend more events. As I would have to stay overnight in Belfast or do a long drive home, any event that would attract me would have to be particularly interesting and unique. None of this years events were particularly appealing to me to justify the journey and cost. In recent years the programming seems to have become quite outlandish and indulgent - there needs to be a better balance between the 'out there' stuff which is innovative and challenging, and the events which will actually draw in people who might not otherwise go to a festival or have anything to do with the Arts. The best Festival event I ever went to was a Harry Potter themed event in Queen’s - the expression on my kids faces when they opened the door to the 'Great Hall' with all the dry ice etc. was priceless. My 'kids' are now 24 and 21 respectively; one has graduated from Queens, the other is in her final year - we want to support the Festival but just couldn't find anything at all in this year's programme which any of the four of us wanted to see - and we really tried! Whilst a small minority of NI people might pay to see a Venezualan zither player, why not try to appeal to the broader audience by putting on something which could actually draw a crowd? Or perhaps that's what you're afraid of - is there an 'elitist' element creeping into the Festival?............ Some events (in particular classical music) were at remote venues, would have been nice to have them closer to Queen's.

Constructive continued • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • •

Ticket prices are high. Many people simply can't afford to attend. Rather than have half empty events I feel they should be given out last minute to groups who would otherwise not have a chance to attend. I will like to find out more about transport and parking arrangements in order to attend these festivals, as I would probably be attending with children. Just a little pet hate if mine - I really do expect events to begin at the stated time. For distance travelling I would prefer events to be over at /before 10:30. More hotel deals for out of towners like me from Derry. Free tickets for community/voluntary groups who might not normally attend. The festival should be more accessible to ordinary people rather. Than simply an elitist few. Send the programme to the rural community in time to see and book events. We use to get programmes in the LIBRARY but not any more. I like the move to have venues around the city perhaps the new Arts venue at the top of the New Lodge could be used next year. I think it would attract a good audience. The free events are a welcome innovation and this opens the Festival up to a different audience. I attended the talk with Jonathan Powell and we had a friend with us who didn't have a ticket. The event was sold out but yet there were quite a few empty seats. Despite queuing outside for a while he wasn't allowed in. It would be good to have a system where you can pay on the door when there are free seats and people haven't turned up, as the seats remained free throughout the whole talk and it wouldn't have been much of a disturbance to let a few people in at the back of the hall. Make available and AFFORDABLE Accommodation info available, even fixed rate, please. Too many boost their prices out of reach of the ordinary visitor. There's a lot going on - sometimes less is more; people might pay more attention that way. Edge. Not safe. I enjoy political and historical events so would like to see more of this in the festival. More on events of 1916 Rising for example or impact of WW1 on Ireland. Bring it to Lurgan. This year disappointed... Felt it was low-key, very limited and on the cheap. I know that the arts are being hit for funding, but the Festival used to be so much more interesting. Don't wish to be negative and want it to be more successful.

Constructive continued • •

• • •

•

Increase range of events including events that aren't so intimidating for people who aren't necessarily interested in arty events or have never experienced before to get them interested in it. Seems to cater to one socio-economic group. Would like it to include events everyone could access and feel comfortable in. There are festivals throughout the UK that I compete with others to stay at friends house to attend, no-one competes to come here for the festival which is very telling as they do come home often but would never factor in the festival a s a specific reason. I just don't think we do the festival justice, it should be a draw, we need to encourage more innovative acts and grow the festival, it seems to be becoming more introspective, happy to explain these comments. Please reduce the scale of the operation. rather than 50 modish events that will attract a small crowd to each, host 5 with broader appeal. No point in saying this but it's nice to get it off my chest. I am glad you are asking about pricing yas it can be expensive to attend all the ones I like. Needs to be promoted earlier as I missed some events as I had booked other things before I was aware of the festival shiwsy 1. Israel Galvan was a great booking. I was at the 1st of two sold-out nights at the MAC and actually preferred it to the performance I saw him give in Seville some years ago, because the MAC was a more intimate venue and thus a more visceral and special performance. It was a privilege to be there. The two lads with him were also absolutely first class. 2. I would like to see more effort made to open up access to people who are not lucky enough to be in full time employment like myself. And less tickets go to the privileged and the corporate. At the "sold out" Gloaming concert I wondered how many tickets had actually been "sold" - I couldn't help but wonder if a lot of comps had been given to the great and the good. I paid for my ticket and also brought 5 people with me (including 2 who travelled from Dublin just for the concert) but had more friends who were unable to get tickets before it sold out. When the arts are in funding crisis there should be more people, not less, paying for their tickets. Thanks, as always it's a very slick operation, just sort out the dancing band/seats issue please!!! Concentrate on banking - you took your eye off the ball a few times and it caused great grief !!!!!!!!!!! It has so much potential - I spoke to all my friends & family about it & showed them the brochure - but NO ONE was interested in seeing anything on in it!! Indeed the only event I know of anyone personally attending is the RUA exhibit. I think the festival needs to try to include a more inclusive range of events for younger people and people from all backgrounds. My friends & family thought the acts were too 'stuffy, obscure & high brow'. I personally would like to see more visual arts too... Improve programme, have some sort of fringe events.

Negative • • • • • •

• • • • • • •

It is going downhill fast. Sadly when I spoke to other people about the Festival the opinions were the same - a programme which did not appeal and therefore not worth attending. Always on the lookout for new and interesting cultural activities but felt the festival came and went this year with nothing that really appealed to me. Also got the brochure late and felt there was poor awareness of it compared with previous years. As before, my event was completely ruined as there was not enough room in the venue so my money and evening was wasted. Definitely for the middle classes. I felt that the marketing of Festival this year was disappointing. As a supporter who has bought tickets for several events every year for the past 40 years I was very disappointed not to receive the full Festival brochure by post. Neither did I receive e-mail information in the months leading to the start of the Festival. All in all, not as much information this year. I feel strongly that any major Festival needs a strong Classical music programme with large scale works not normally heard in Belfast from either a visiting orchestra or an enlarged Ulster Orchestra. Similarly, high quality drama please. Just as previous. Booking can be a little awkward on the website at times, not straight forward I was disappointed this year by the selection of events, they just didn't appeal to me this year. We like to attend indie bands gigs and interesting speakers but felt there was nothing in this years programme of interest to us. I felt that the variety of events in Theatre and Talks was not as good and as wide as usual. A poor, unattractive programme for each of the last few years. Has the festival lost its edge? I thought events were a bit dis jointed and big international events were limited. I feel that the festival is shrinking & less inspiring each year. I found the online programme hard to use -It was lucky I knew what I was looking for. ALSO - I found it hard to find a full hard copy programme/guide They didn’t seem as readily available this year

Positive • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

•

This Festival is extremely significant for cultural and artistic interchange. Long may it last and obviously should receive as much funding as possible. I t's a fabulous range of event's for NI. I often wish I could take folk with me. This isn't always possible. Other bookings ... Family illness ... Overall, my experiences over the years with BFQ have been extremely positive. I hope to return next year with the passion that was present in previous years but appreciate that it is difficult to cater for everyone. It was a wonderful event and all the staff and volunteers were brilliant. Bettye Lavette was sensational. Please bring her back next year. Absolutely brilliant festival, haven't been able to go due to family commitments Well done! Please keep it up. It gives us a fantastic opportunity to see and experience other cultures. No, other than thank you for quality festival. Keep up the good work. Thanks. It's always good to see local talent at such festivals and it would be sad to see any this or other festivals that take place in Belfast e.g. the festival of fools etc. not going ahead the next year Job well done xx xx xx xx My wife and I have been able to find a couple of events to attend at Queens Festival for the best part of 30 years. I'm happy to say that my son and daughter and their children have grown into eager supporters of Queens Festival. Queens Festival programme coming into the house is on a par with the Christmas Radio Times. Thank you ~ I enjoyed every event. Thanks for a great programme and for great customer service from Karen O'Rawe!!! Look forward to next year. Thanks for bringing 'Enemy of the People’. Thanks for the experience! More power to you all its great to see it happening in Belfast. I saw the Holy Holy bus and loved it! Just long may it continue! Usually very enjoyable. It's a great festival and broadens our horizons! Keep up the great work! Hope the funding isn't slashed. Ulster Orchestra and Holy Holy Bus were excellent. Clearly difficult times with funding issues etc. and resulting lack of significant international talent in the programme but hopefully better times ahead. The Festival brings life to Belfast for the run up and duration of the programme. Congratulations to all involved in this highly professional showcase of experience and strong artistic calibre. The festival is great for Belfast. 94

Positive • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Well done! Well done. Creativity is an essential life force, its power to unify is huge, keep it up!!! The event I attended was fantastic but was the only one which appealed. Thanks for putting together together such a good festival. A strong arts festival is very important for Northern Ireland for the recovery and also to show what a strong and inclusive society we have. There should be more to culture than a flute or ceilidh bands and a six can of harp in a plastic bag. A fantastic local festival- maybe the best I've ever seen in terms of depth & variety. Thanks for a great and enjoyable experience. Well done ! Well done! Think this is a really important event. Thanks for the wonderful and inspiring performances. There was an amazing variety of acts and I would have attended more if possible! It was good to see community venues included alongside existing tried and tested performance spaces. It is a fabulous series of events and I congratulate you on the programme offered. The festival is jam packed with a wide range of acts which is great . My work & home commitments dictate the evenings I can attend and at best I attend possibly 3 or 4 productions. I recommend this to my friends all over the world. From the US to Japan, Brazil to Norway and all the places in between. Thanks for providing it for us in Belfast, even though I gave to travel 60 miles to attend, it's very worth while Keep culture flowing. Thanks. Superb festival with great line ups year after year. Keep on providing the great entertainment. I look forward to festival time every year. Thank you! I don’t live in Northern Ireland any more but visit specifically for the festival. Enjoy dramas by N. Irish writers Keep it up! Here's hoping the arts funding is maintained and important and excellent events showcased at the Festival continue not only to keep Belfast residents happy and entertained but visitors to our great city alike. I usually enjoy participating in something I enjoy that is just a little different from the usual. Just keep up the good work! You do an excellent job. I hope the cuts in funding won't cramp your style....too much. I think it's a brilliant part of living here. I look forward to the festival every year Keep up the good work! Long may it continue. Keep up the good work! It is important for Northern Ireland that there are festivals which push cultural boundaries and introduce innovative events, like the Ulster Bank Festival at Queen's. 95

Positive continued • • • • • •

• • • • •

• • •

Bravo. A very enjoyable and well organised event. Keep up the good work. Great job once again. Great atmosphere all around! An essential institution in the NI arts calendar Make it an essential institution in the UK/European Arts calendar. Aim for the Stars. I'm aware of issues in funding for the Arts in NI and hope the festival can continue to deliver a wide range of acts both local and international in the future. I was also lucky to win tickets for one of the events. I would have paid for tickets for this event but was able to use the money saved to go to other festival events. So Thanks for the free tickets. First visit to Belfast city and was very impressed. brochure picked up in Dublin train station and advert on radio was how I knew about it. stayed overnight and look forward to next year and attend more events. Keep up the excellent work, looking forward to next year, as the bar seems to get higher and the acts get better! I look forward with eager anticipation to the announcements of acts at the festival. I really appreciate having a festival like this in Belfast! Keep going! For many people who have made Belfast their home, e.g., because of joining Queen's, this is a very important yearly "dose of culture"! Massively important event for city, keep up the good work. I love the festival and the quality this year was brilliant No negative thoughts on the festival at all. Just to thank the staff and volunteers of the festival for all the work they do to make the festival a pleasure to attend.

Other • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

It would depend on want was on offer. No. No. NO. No. Recommendations would depend on next year's programme. No. None. I've been a lot in the past and maybe have seen much of what is scheduled. See previous comments. Further to question 29, I'd definitely recommend events to others if I found any that were of particular interest to me. No. No. No.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

No. No. No. Wish I could've gone to more. I would have attended more events but was working unfortunately. Nope. Thanks! No. Just wish I lived in Belfast or there were accompanying accommodation with ticket. This survey asks far too many questions and I doubt if you are getting truthful answers. No. Depends on programme. Not at this time. No. NA. No. Get Pink Martini ??

Demographics Age Range Gender 5.6%

16-24

3.4%

1.2%

25-34 35-44

17.2% 37.2%

Male

19.7%

45-54

Female 62.8%

55-64

Prefer not to say

24.2% 65+

28.8%

Prefer not to say

Respondent count

Percentage

Female

428

62.8%

Male

253 0

Prefer not to say Source: Q2: What gender are you? Base: 699 respondents.

Respondent Count

Percentage

16-24

3.38%

37.2%

25-34

117

17.18%

0.0%

35-44

165

24.23%

45-54

196

28.78%

55-64

134

19.68%

65+

5.58%

Prefer not to say

1.17%

Source: Q3: What age are you? Base: 699 respondents.

Appendix One

Q5 To what extent do you believe that the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at • Queen's in 2014 could be described by the following words? (Other). •

• • •

• •

•

• •

I don't think there is any ground work with communities or programming to • suit their needs. A lot of events are boring and highbrow, nothing innovating- it needs more community • buy in and excitement! It's a festival for • people who can afford to buy arts tickets • and is catered for their scene. Nothing in the programme jump out as exiting to • me apart from the Absorbing Modernity • and Open Studios events - e.g. where as last year Efterklang was something different in a great venue. • A wide variety of performances on offer that are suitable to all different tastes. Didn’t see this year’s programme so cannot comment • Contemporary music is not well represented. I have fond memories of the Queens Fringe festival that ran alongside the main festival. Since its demise, the festival music content has been a bit on the safe side. • I haven’t been and I didn’t know that there was one. I have checked it out and it did look fun Pricing can be prohibitive for many need more fringe events • Obviously a lot of the events were more convenient for those living in South Belfast, but that is where Queen's is situated. I thought the variety of events this year • was fantastic ~ I attended 4 I thought Enemy of the People at the Opera House was the most outstanding theatre I have seen in years. Entertaining, informative, challenging, visually stunning. The acting was intelligent, direction amazing. All in all a • theatrical experience I will always remember.

I look forward to the Festival every year to see new events and to have the opportunity to listen, watch and participate across a variety of experiences. I didn't go as the event that we always go to wasn't on. It was the enchanted gardens at botanic. n/a Didn't attend any this year. i travelled from Coleraine so locations were the same for me. The Savannah Havana event was great! While there was a mixture of events I thought that it was not targeting those over 50. I was disappointed in the line-up this year and did not find anything that appealed to me this year. I therefore didn't attend any events. I thought the program this year was very poor, why was Elvis Costello not in a more appropriate location like the Whitla Hall. From bad experience I will not go and see any Artist who appears in the Waterfront Hall or Odyssey. I don't believe that all people think the Belfast Festival at Queens is for them. I think the "at Queens" has connotations of Queens University and educated graduates. I think festivals are brilliant for the people of Belfast and tourists! There is a variety of different things to choose from for all ages! Keep up the great work x Some of the venues for the classical music concerts were not really in good locations, e.g. Clonard, St Gerards church. Need more central locations e.g. St Anne’s Cathedral, St Georges, High Street, Ulster Hall, Waterfront, Mac, Great Hall at QUB, Elmwood Hall. Everything is too expensive. I realise funding is an issue and international acts do come at a premium.

• • •

•

• • • • • • •

•

• Did not attend so cannot comment. I haven't found anything that interested me the past couple of years. little seemed to happen around queens considering the title of the festival. online booking service didn't work on the occasions I tried to use it. • Wider and more interesting contemporary music (non-classical) than in recent years. I am interested in the arts but nothing in the • programme really gripped me and made me think 'I have to see that! Unimaginative programme of events. This year’s programme was disappointing • The QUB Festival has a snobby reputation i.e. it is for the 'chattering classes'. • It’s perfect for all ages, children & adults alike. I think the acts they put on now while innovative and international are not exactly crowd pleasers. Didn't attend any so my answers are based on the brochure. Some of the venues are hard to access by • public transport. One event that I attended was disrupted as people left to get the" last • bus" before the end of the event. Factors like this should be considered I've always loved the wide selection of music, comedy and dance acts, but haven't been able to attend in recent years due to • family commitments.

•

Didn't attend festival.

•

I used to attend 8-10 events every year. This year I struggled to find one. The festival is trying so hard to be artistic that it forgets to be entertaining. This is Belfast... I doubt your events appeal to the majority of the population. I now attend lots of events as part of the Out to Lunch, Open House and even Feile Festivals as I think they are more inclusive.

•

I did not attend any events this year (for the first time since moving to Belfast nearly 20 years ago).

•

The access & outreach schemes should rightly be applauded. I didn't really feel it represented contemporary artistic provision - I didn't recognise many of the artists in the programme and I would say I am fairly current in what is happening in the arts world. Surprisingly nothing in this year's festival appealed to me. I felt the range of festival had contracted. I did not feel it was as well publicised as it could have been. Parking is difficult at some events and public transport at night is not great. The festival is still seen as inaccessible to large sections of the community. Ticket prices were more affordable this year than in previous years but still too expensive for many. There are also not many events that appeal to a younger audience who are the future attendees of the festival. Very exciting line up and lots of great surprises. I didn't feel there was a festival on in the city centre - a tourist arriving would not be aware. I love the Festival but it remains mainly middle class and white. Would have liked more visual arts such as the RUA exhibition in the Museum. Plus I do not believe there was enough for younger age groups. A lot of the stuff was for older people and those already interested in culture. Would have been good to have seen street art, low brow visual arts & illustration exhibitions. Also perhaps more youthful, modern and popular music. All the acts are too 'highbrow' and wouldn't interest most people...

100

•

I thought they were particularly Innovative.

•

It has been really exciting seeing international performances which I might not have had access to without the festival. •

• •

•

There were many events I would love to have attended but was not able due family commitments. The event this year look packed full of exciting events.

•

Great range of acts and artists, something for every taste and style!

•

What’s for us outside Belfast

I think the programme of events explains everything.

•

Felt they were not nearly innovative enough... Fairly narrow range.

• As I don't live near Belfast anymore I find it a shame that it's not practical to make it down very often. However my • younger brother and my dad have been to quite a few this year and have greatly enjoyed it - it is a good chance • for them to spend time together doing something they enjoy.

Inclusive of all sections of society who wanted to avail of it.

•

Didn't go to enough events to be able to comment.

I have never attended a Festival, so have no valid opinion.

•

I'm not sure how the festival can be described as 'inclusive of all he community'. Is this in relation to performers or audience? Events are open to everybody, so in that sense of course it is inclusive. Festival locations

Perhaps it is just getting older, but I • have found less and less appealing the past few years. I used to be a regular • attender.

I didn't attend any events

No.

•

The Festival may have been inclusive and international but there was very little I wanted to go and see. I suspect it may be indicative of a reduction in budget, but there is nowhere near the choice and profile of artists.

•

I didn't attend anything.

•

Not as international or as innovative as 10/20 years ago. One of the most innovative and also an international one, the From Bolshoi to Belfast got very little coverage or promotion at the Festival.

•

Given that I only booked a few events it's difficult to describe all events as entertaining as many did not appeal.

Used to attend most years and have great memories of the RSC doing Caesar, brilliant lectures. Now seems to have a vague bending over backwards to please the unpleasable republicans. Instead go to Belvoir Players, Lisburn Island, Ulster Orchestra and other local events.

•

For people who live outside Belfast, it can be difficult to get parking around some venues.

•

I don't feel I can comment as I haven't been able to engage with the Festival this year.

•

Not accessible to lower income folk

The festival provides a wide variety of events which meets the needs of those • who enjoy the Arts. The events held are inclusive which means it is an exciting programme. I book tickets based on the description provided and • preview video material if available. On all occasions it's been brilliant especially the events which are a new • theatrical experience for me. I think the Ulster Bank Festival at Queens is the most mature, eclectic and all-embracing there is - has a lot of variety and also makes use of great venues and not just the usual big ones. •

were spread throughout the city, which may appeal to some people living in those areas, but for me the Festival has lost some of its identity by moving away from Queen's.

A very good and varied programme this year with free events and good international representation Didn't notice so many big names this year. I would like to see less musical acts, as plenty of provisions are given to them throughout the year elsewhere. More literary events would be interesting, especially involving home-grown performers and talent. Bring back the Guinness Spot

Overall impression gained by reading about the Festival

101

Q6 If you had to chose one other single word to describe the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's, what word would you choose?

•

Satisfactory

•

Good

•

Exclusive

•

Fun

•

Superb

•

Not sure

•

Great

•

Interesting

•

Enjoyable

•

Adventurous

•

Fun

•

Vital

•

Varied

•

Enjoyable

•

Informative

•

Festive

•

International

•

Opportunity

•

Uplifting

•

Educational

•

Very well organised

•

Safe

•

Broad

•

Expansive

•

Essential

•

Exciting

•

Fantastic

•

Unusual

•

Traditional

•

Eclectic

•

Vibrant

•

Exciting

•

Entertainment

•

cest manifique

•

Struggling

•

Varied

•

Modern

•

Variety

•

Solid

•

Entertaining

•

Diverse

•

Brilliance

•

Spirited

•

Unmissable

•

Mainstream

•

Inclusive

•

Unknown

•

Diverse

•

Essential

•

Amazing

•

Unique

•

Stimulating

•

Eclectic

•

Old-fashioned

•

Inspiring

•

Elitist

•

Entertaining

•

Fun

•

Fun Inspiring

Interesting

•

Varied

•

Fantastic

•

Disappointing

Exciting

•

• •

Eclectic

•

Exciting

•

Exclusive

•

Refreshing

•

Inspired

•

Varied

•

Entertaining

•

Cultural

•

Limited

•

Vital

•

Diverse

•

Fantastic

•

Stupendous

•

Brilliant

•

Spherical

•

Variety

•

Exciting

•

Valuable

•

Elitist

•

Cultured

•

Exciting

•

Contemporary

•

Disappointing

•

Arty

•

Great Value

•

Creative

•

Good

•

Quality

•

Exciting

•

Variety

•

Pretentious

•

Great

•

Fabulous

•

Eclectic

•

TIRED

•

Quality

•

Extensive

•

Varied

•

Different

•

International

•

Wide-ranging

•

Entertaining

•

Fun

•

Varied

•

Entertaining

•

Diverse

•

Eclectic

•

Excellent

•

Inclusive

•

Unique Engaging

Exciting

•

Motivating

•

Inadequate

•

Valuable

Enjoyable

•

• •

Great

•

Enjoyable

•

Surprising

•

Unsure

•

Good

•

Cultural

•

Eclectic

•

Enlightened

•

Breath-taking

•

Excellent

•

Eclectic

•

Varied

•

Exciting

•

Bold

•

Entertaining

•

Vibrant

•

Together

•

Varied

•

Exciting

•

Brilliant

•

Magnificent!

•

Forward thinking •

Varied

•

Modern

•

Eclectic

•

Low profile

•

Quality

•

Invaluable

Too alternative

•

Comprehensive

Invaluable

•

Great

•

Irreplaceable

•

Thought-provoking•

Varied

•

Entertaining

•

Stimulating

•

WELCOMING

•

Entertaining

•

Necessary

•

Inspiring

•

Exciting

•

Elitist

•

Atmospheric

•

Tangible

•

102

•

Local

•

Different

•

Interesting

•

Diverse

•

Interesting

•

Uplifting

•

Elitist

•

Niche

•

Lacking

•

Expensive

•

Excellent

•

Far-out

•

Thoughtful

•

Fab

•

Diverse

•

Fun

•

Exciting

•

Diverse

•

Exciting

•

Good

•

Poor

•

Eclectic

•

International

•

Great

•

Eclectic

•

Eclectic

•

GROOVY

•

Accessible

•

Varied

•

Inclusive

•

Interesting

•

Disappointing

•

Diverse

•

Interesting

•

Varied

•

Cultural

•

Curious

•

Inspiring

•

Interesting

•

Encompassing

•

Disappointing

•

Friendly

•

Elitist

•

Fun

•

Elitist

•

Eclectic

•

None of the productions • appealed to me, and this has been the case for a number of • years. I used to be a very regular attender, but not • anymore.

•

Innovative

•

Refreshing

•

Affordable

•

Wide-ranging Creative Mind expanding!

Stimulating

•

Eclectic

•

Vibrant

•

Boring

•

Inspirational

•

Excellence

•

Enlightening

•

Artistic

•

Great

•

Eclectic

•

Inspired

•

Unaware

•

Enthralling

•

Disappointing

•

Dull

•

Useless

•

Surprising!

•

Inspiring

•

Fresh

•

Diverse

•

Eclectic

•

Eclectic

•

Potential

•

Scintillating

•

No comment

•

Diverse

•

Enjoyable

•

Cultural

•

Enthusiastic

•

Exciting

•

Great

•

Enhancing

•

Inspiring

•

Comforting

•

Inspiring

•

Brilliant

•

Eclectic

•

Interesting

•

Dated

•

Varied

•

Good fun

•

International

•

Varied

•

Good

•

Creative

•

Excellence

•

Limited

•

Amazing!!

•

Mesmerising

•

Excellent

•

Diverse

•

Imaginative

•

Obscure

•

Dull

•

Conservative

•

Great

•

Surprising

•

Smaller

•

RIVETTING

•

Safe

•

Exciting

•

Shrinking

•

Exciting

•

Artistic

•

Underwhelming

•

Fantastic

•

Fantastic

•

Fascinating

•

Inclusive

•

Diverse

•

Elite

•

Considered

•

Disappointing

•

Fantastic

•

Entertaining

•

Fantastic

•

Variety

•

Intriguing

•

Detached

•

Eclectic

•

Lively

•

Different

•

Great

•

Inclusive

•

Interesting

•

Brilliant

•

Amazing

•

Inclusive

•

Rad

•

Alternative

•

Busy

•

Competent

•

Exciting

•

Poor

•

Fantastic

•

Lacking

•

Unexpected

•

Disappointing

•

Interesting

•

Exciting

•

Enjoyable

•

Diverse

•

Exciting

•

Innovative

•

Stunning

•

Worthwhile

•

Eclectic

•

Varied

•

Worthwhile

•

Routine

•

Unmissable

•

Highbrow

•

Improving

•

Snobby

•

Dynamic

•

Expensive

•

Safe

•

Diverse

•

Awesome

103

•

Diverse

•

Exciting

•

Varied

•

Elitist

•

Fantastic

•

Enjoyable

•

International

•

Enticing

•

Varied

•

Excellent

•

Outward facing

Diverse

•

Entertaining

•

Necessary

•

Exciting

•

Inspiring

•

Enjoyable

•

Lacklustre

•

Welcome

Exhilarating

•

Ambitious

•

Inspiring

•

Inclusive

•

Inclusive

•

Class

•

Fresh

•

Variety

•

Shrinking

•

Fantastic

Contemporary

•

Entertaining

•

Unmissable

•

Good

•

Pedestrian

•

Fantastic

•

Interesting

•

Inspiring

•

Great

•

Inclusive

•

Superb

•

EXCITING!

•

Variety

•

GREAT

•

Celebration

•

Exciting

•

Diverse

•

Eclectic

•

Supercalifragilistic

•

Inspiring

•

Classy

•

Diverse

•

Diverse

•

Invaluable

•

Exciting

•

Interesting

•

Boring

•

Enhancing

•

Exhilarating

•

International

•

Spectacular

•

Established

•

Pretentious

•

Stimulating

•

Memorable

•

Exciting

•

Eclectic

•

Exciting

•

Creative

•

Arty

•

Middleclass

•

Quality

•

Inspiring

•

Entertaining

•

Enjoyable

Expansive

•

Interesting

•

Good

•

Unfamiliar

•

Arty

•

Exciting

•

Diverse

•

Eye-opening

•

Indulgent

•

Varied

•

Good

•

Essential

•

Good

•

Financially accessible

•

GREAT

•

Super

•

Entertainment

•

High-brow

•

Eclectic

•

Overblown

•

Super

•

Great

•

Inclusive

•

Mo' jazz!

•

Cultural

•

Interesting

•

Energising

•

Exciting

•

Superb

•

Varied

•

Mixture

•

Variety

•

Class

•

Culture

•

Inclusive

•

Passionate

•

Illuminating

•

Cool

•

Variety

•

Diverse

•

Fun

•

Brilliant

•

Diverse

•

Sensational

•

Intriguing

•

Reliable

•

Inspired

•

Affordable

•

Fantastic

•

Open

•

Crap

•

Inspirational

•

Fantastic

•

Diverse

•

Contemporary

•

Varied

•

Important

•

Mature

•

Boring

•

Entertaining

•

Super

•

Unappealing

•

Shrinking

•

Entertaining

•

Choice

•

Varied

•

Vital

•

Essential

•

Different!

•

Informative

•

Lacklustre

•

Exciting

•

Arty

•

Boring. Staid. (Two words; sorry)

•

Excellent

•

Impressive

•

Cultural

•

Fab

•

Lacking

•

Cultural

•

Test

•

Enjoyable

•

Modern

•

Varied

•

Aspirational

•

Weaker

•

Highlight

•

Artistic

•

Contemporary

•

Aspirational

•

Festival

•

Exciting

•

Quirky

•

Varied

104

Report produced by Audiences Northern Ireland, November 2014. 105