People taking part in the survey gave an emphatic thumb's down to tribute bands at the festival.

But they rated the festival highly for its atmosphere, its choice of bands generally and its real ale.

The RAJF's Stuart Pembery, who conducted the survey on-line and through the Chichester Observer, said it amounted to a pat on the back for the festival, but with a clear reminder that standards need to be kept high.

"The biggest news from the survey is that the bands that we have are such a fundamental part of the event."

Six out of ten people are first attracted to the event by the bands: "We interpret that as saying that the effort we put in to get a great product is very important."

Tribute bands attracted negative feedback, however - and there won't be any this year: "The principle is that we try to bring in original bands, which is what we have done this year."

Around a quarter of the people were first attracted by the beer - again useful information, Stuart says: "Perhaps it is stating the obvious, but you can start to question things. We are not a great British beer festival. We are very much a hybrid event."

Similarly encouraging is the fact that more than more than nine out of ten of respondents confirmed they have recommended the festival to their friends - a key way of spreading the word.

As for whether people regard the festival as a festival or a series of gigs, it's split 50-50 roughly - a balance the festival needs to tilt in favour of its perception as a festival.

New season tickets introduced this year have had a good response - all part of getting people to think of the festival as a whole rather than a collection of individual events over consecutive days.

Season tickets come with discounts: "We need to make sure that we are offering value for money in competitive terms.

"The survey shows us that we are getting a lot right, but that we mustn't ever be complacent. We have to keep on making sure we are offering a good product."

Other findings include:

More than a third of concert-goers first heard of the RAJF through personal recommendation; three quarters of those surveyed had already been to the Festival; and of those who didn't attend, 30 per cent gave price as the reason, 20 per cent the choice of bands.

As for the event's key attractions, 60 per cent of respondents said bands; 41 per cent said atmosphere; and 32 per cent said the central Chichester location.

Two thirds said choice of bands was a reason to come back; 35 per cent said the central location; a quarter said the real ale.
92 per cent of respondents said they had recommended the RAJF to friends, and overall 64 per cent of people felt the RAJF offered good value for money, and more than half felt this year's new season pass was good value for money.

Chichester's Real Ale And Jazz Festival lines up as: Wednesday, July 9 -From The Jam; Thursday, July 10 - 10cc; Friday, July 11 - The Spirit FM Party Night featuring Bad Manners, The Beat and Django; and Saturday, July 12 - Squeeze. In the afternoon on Saturday, the Festival offers Jazz in the Park featuring The Jazz Smugglers. Tickets via www.chichester-rajf.com.