With the live sector still seemingly buoyant, despite the bad weather this year, news today that this year's Proms season has attracted more people than ever. Organisers have reported a 5% increase in ticket sales on last year, with 272,000 people booking, compared to 265,000 last year, so they must be doing something right.
The event has been a predictably lavish affair, with two huge open-air concerts under the Proms In The Park banner plus the indoor concerts. The two month long season ended with the traditional indoor flag-waving party last weekend, plus a live performance from popular soprano Lesley Garrett who paid tribute to recently passed tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
Following its conclusion, out going Proms director Nicholas Kenyon told the media: "Audiences have responded with huge enthusiasm. I could not have had a better end to my 12 seasons at the Proms than the record attendance figures we are announcing today."