According to the NRW State Music Council, rising energy costs are making the already difficult situation in the cultural sector even worse. The exploding energy prices meant that many people had to save and refrain from buying a concert ticket, said the Secretary General of the State Music Council, Robert von Zahn, on Saturday in the WDR "Morgenecho". In addition, some concert and event venues are currently considering whether to close completely next winter, as they may no longer be able to pay their bills despite energy-saving measures. The situation in the industry is already very tense as a result of the pandemic.

The density of events - concerts, festivals, cinema premieres - has increased significantly in recent weeks. But the audience is missing in many places, as reported by Zahn. Advance sales are “very bad”, especially for smaller and medium-sized events. The organizers would have to hope for the box office - which sometimes works out. The music council of North Rhine-Westphalia complained that the halls often remain empty.