Criticized by some, happily adopted by others, cashless is a reality now well established in summer festivals. One of the last behemoths to convert was Graspop. It was last year, with a somewhat complicated start as the DH. But this year, on the occasion of the edition which took place last weekend, all that was nothing more than a very distant memory, everything having gone perfectly well.
On the Ardentes side, cashless will not be a new feature this year. The formula has already been adopted for some time by the Liège festival. What is new, however, is the introduction of a currency specific to the event. From now on, you will no longer pay in euros but in Flammes. The aim is to simplify and improve the festival-goers’ experience by introducing this new official currency that will be used for food trucks, bars and even merchandising. This is what the organizers are displaying on the event’s website.
With the table in hand – to help festival-goers better understand the concept – it is explained that one Flame is worth 1.25 euros. You don’t have to be a whiz at mental arithmetic to understand that two Flames are worth 2.50 euros, four Flames represent 5 euros, and so on.
Flames that simplify the lives of festival-goers? The opinion of those concerned seems mixed to say the least when reading the reactions on the Ardentes Instagram account. “I don’t see where you simplified the thing.”says one speaker.It’s noon and I’ve already seen the biggest bullshit of the day,” another one quips.
A shower of criticism
Some are more virulent. We can read in particular: “Shameful, last year the system displayed in € with the same bracelets and the same system. This new currency is simply a legal scam”. Or : “Everything for the moula! System put in place to push us towards consumption and take advantage of the naivety of certain people… Advocating passion, emotion, love and freedom is good… But taking your audience for hams … Not crazy about this communications strategy… A little disappointed with the spirit of this initiative which is clearly for financial purposes.” Et :“We’re really not the idiots you think we are.”. The list is long.
Cashless, hell for festival-goers this summer: who benefits from this system which can cost you dearly?
Even the diehards seem a little disappointed following the announcement made on Wednesday: “I love the Ardentes, I’ve been coming for 4 years in a row, but this increase is a bit excessive. Think of us, the majority of festival-goers are under 30, most of them students. We don’t deserve a €20 theft for every €100 deposited… I don’t see how it could be simpler, just do it again like last year was great!”
What the participants on Instagram are denouncing is the confusion in terms of prices that the local currency imagined by the organizers creates. When a unit of it is worth one euro, it is easy to track the expense. When the value goes to 1.25 euros, it becomes more complex unless you are attentive. This is a complaint frequently heard by festival-goers at other events that have already been applying this system for a long time.
Reimbursement costs which are also of concern
Added to this is the principle of Flame refills on the cashless bracelet. The Ardentes website specifies this: the minimum recharge is two Flames, or 2.50 euros. Then, it goes in stages of four Flames, i.e. 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 Flames, etc.
If by some misfortune you have bitten off more than you can chew and have overfilled your cashless bracelet, you can get the balance back. At least part of it. Because fees will be charged. Here too, this sticks in the craw of some who do not fail to express it, always on the festival’s Instagram account. Amount: 3 Flammes, or 3.75 euros. Reason given by the organizers: “Each refund is verified, which requires some handling”.
Be careful, they point out again, you absolutely must keep your cashless bracelet to be reimbursed after the festival. Forewarned is forearmed.
