Music in Parks future undecided after disappointing 2023 season

Three months of alarmingly low turnouts has resulted in an uncertain close to the 2023 season for Auckland Council’s Music in Parks.

This year's events were lucky if they hosted up to 300 people, in contrast to the most successful of the weekly free music events over past years which peaked at around 3,000.

Event organiser Gavin Downing believes that people's free time was reduced by the Covid post-lockdown surge in previously-postponed concert tours from North America and Europe, as well as lockdown introduction of on-demand entertainment.

The Wall Street Journal’s website says that the use of streaming platforms and readily accessible online entertainment is at a consistent high.

“Now there are all these music outlets of all different levels competing not for money, but for consumers’ free time,” Downing said.

Additionally, when an event is free to attend, people feel less of a commitment to it than they would if it was a ticketed event.

“A free event is just easier to say no to sometimes, which could be another reason we struggled for attendance this season,” he added.

Nicholas Williamson, a Music in Parks attendee says he would be sad to see the end of such events.

“Free gigs like this help to keep the community together. They provide a greater sense of community, and I would love to see that continue," he commented.

The importance of these free to attend gigs is being reevaluated, and a decision on their continuation is currently pending.

The acts set to play on March 25 and 26 could see off not only the 45th season but also Music in Parks events indefinitely.