The economic downturn has already claimed its first festival as one of the backers of Heavenly Planet has been forced to pull out and the event axed.
The Reading-based festival was planned as a free event for its inaugural year, taking place in July. Costs were to have been absorbed by three joint organisers, but the economic climate has meant that Womad’s Thomas Brooman has been unable to commit to the original funding model and has now withdrawn.
The event’s other backers Festival Republic and Reading Borough Council have now also “reluctantly’ agreed to pull the plug on the two-day show which was due to feature The Wonder Stuff, Eliza Carthy, King Creosote and The Bays.
Festival Republic’s Melvin Benn said the decision was taken “with regret”: “The worsening economic crisis and circumstances beyond our control have been major factors in the final decision.”
And the council’s Graeme Hoskin explained: "People everywhere are tightening their belts and making savings and we are no different. Through no fault of his own, Thomas was no longer able to make the equal financial commitment necessary.”
Despite the recession, promoters have continued to add to the huge array of events this year leading to concerns that some may not be financially viable. During the late 1990s some festivals had to be pulled because the market became saturated. However some events look set to weather the storm - Glastonbury has already sold out.
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Meanwhile other festivals have been adding acts to their bills. Leicester's Summer Sundae Weekender (August 14-16) has added Saint Etienne, Micachu and Dan Black to the headliners already announced which include The Streets, The Charlatans and Bon Iver. And Donington Park's Download Festival (June 12-14) announced today that Chris Cornell, Papa Roach and Journey will be playing.
10:46 AM | 17/03/2009
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