The New York Times‘ report on the wave of festivals offering layaway options this year claims that people are taking advantage of the installment-plan option, with 18% of Coachella and 20% Bonnaroo ticket sales being associated with some sort of delayed payment plan. Other festivals, including the Country Thunder show (which has a surprisingly strong bill in Arizona), are following suit. It makes you wonder a bit why it took the economy nearly bottoming out for someone to think of this idea, especially when the entire tickets / place to stay / food / gallons and gallons of water combo can easily reach the four-digital mark before travel expenses are involved. The NYT piece had this quote from Bonnaroo’s Ashley Capps: “For many people, three smaller payments are a lot more effective for their budget,” he said. “Why not make it easier for people to attend?” Someone apparently didn’t go to the Ticketmaster/Live Nation school of concert promotion! [NYT]