Tickets for the Rock in Rio festival in Lisbon are now on sale for the fixed price of 53 euros per person per day. According to the event organisers, unlike most festivals there will be no family packages or reduced prices for those attending the event on more than one day. The news has caused controversy among music fans. “It is a bit expensive for students who don’t work. Not all parents are willing to give their children 53 euros to go to a festival, and others can’t afford to give that amount of money. I’m looking for a job so that I can save enough money to buy a ticket and have enough money to spend at the festival,” 18-year-old Maria do Carmo explained.
The organisers hope to sell 6,741 tickets every day to reach their target of a 600,000 strong audience. “I’m sure that the ticket is well worth the asking price, but, unfortunately, at this time of year, it is very hard for a Portuguese family to get by on their wages. I’m planning to go, although I have no idea how I’m going to get the money,” said 21-year-old Faro university student, Sónia Neves. The tickets, which were created in America, are made of a plastic material, have different colours for different days, are water, sun and mud resistant and are, allegedly, impossible to counterfeit. They are currently on sale at 15,000 stands throughout Portugal, including all Millennium BCP banks and FNAC shops. You can also buy them online at www.rockinrio-lisboa.sapo.pt, www.millenniumbcp.pt, www.fnac.pt or via the Rock in Rio Call Centre on 707 300 707.
Band update:
Music legend Paul McCartney will be opening the event on May 28, the same night that Peter Gabriel and Rui Veloso are performing. Black Eyed Peas, one of the most popular hip-hop bands on the current music scene, confirmed their attendance at the festival, performing on the same day as Britney Spears, June 5.
