Tribute acts leave Brits quids in

Cash-strapped music lovers could save thousands of pounds by heading to a tribute festival rather than seeing the real thing.

That’s according to the consumer experts at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk who have looked at three UK based tribute festivals to see just how much value for money they offer.

Tribute acts have been around for decades – the first are thought to have been Beatles tribute bands, one of them was called The Buggs, who looked and sounded like the fab four.

Now there are thousands across the globe and tribute festivals are springing up everywhere.

And with the price of festivals and concert tickets skyrocketing, heading to see tribute bands could leave music fans quids in.

The experts looked at three popular Tribute festivals including Rockstock in Stockport, Big Fake Festival in Nottinghamshire and Festwitch in Prestwich and the bands performing at them.

They worked out how much it would cost to see the real bands, and how much music lovers could save by opting for the tribute acts.

Music lovers in Stockport look set to make the biggest saving of around £2,567.27. Tribute bands including AC/DC Experience, Not Radiohead and Queenesque are among the many acts performing at the budget festival.

Seeing the real ACDC, Radiohead and Queen could set a fan back almost £500. Tickets for the two day event are £10 a day.

Savings of £2,318.28 can be made seeing the tribute bands at Festwitch rather than the genuine acts.

Artists including Fleetwood Bach, Red Hot Chili Peppers UK and Explosive Light Orchestra cost a fraction of the real versions.

For fans in the Midlands, savings of £2,203.04 can be made by enjoying the Big Fake Festival. Acts including The Rolling Stones tribute The Stones, Ultimate Green Day and Guns2Roses will all be hitting the high notes.

Seeing the genuine versions of these three would cost around £478, making the three day event a bargain.

Consumer expert John Stirzaker from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “The cost of seeing a band isn’t cheap – the big names can command hundred and when you factor in the cost of travel and staying over somewhere if you need to, you could be shelling out a lost of hard earned cash.

“Seeing a tribute act instead is a way to experience the buzz of live music you enjoy without splashing out lots of money.

“The three festivals we looked at prove that the demand is there to see bands at budget prices. The savings music fans can make by seeing tribute acts rather than the genuine artist are insane.

“While times are tight, hunting out tribute acts are a good way to enjoy doing something you love on a budget.”

Chris Tominey from Biffy Clyro tribute act Iffy Clyro said: “Interest in tribute acts has noticeably grown over recent years. Each year the crowds get bigger and opportunities to play better.

“I think some people are generally sceptical about tribute bands. I was never keen on the idea myself but when you go to a show, you realise quite quickly that the vibe is amazing. The standard of bands is incredibly high. Almost all of the musicians we talk to are truly humble too. They’re just fans of the band they play in and it comes across in the performance. I think people recognise that and respond to it.

“The fact we’re a fraction of the cost of seeing the real thing is an added bonus for music fans and for venues who have a steady stream of quality tribute acts to fill gaps and keep things ticking over.”