Tamworth Country Music Festival loses two major events
The Tamworth Country Music Festival in January lost two of its major events. Its major sponsor Toyota will not hold the grand final of its Telstra Road to Discovery talent quest during the festival. Instead, because of its team-up with Bon Jovi this year, where the winner goes on the road with the US band in December, the grand final is in November. In addition, the Tamworth Business Chamber has dropped the popular Queen of Country Music Quest due to “resourcing issues” and a perception it was not a core activity.
Low figures but Nimbin Roots returning
The second Nimbin Roots Festival, held at the Nimbin Showground, had lower-than-expected attendance. But organiser Xavier Avogniko claims that it offered a greater experience, with camping and a wider array of artists, and will return in 2014.
Easterfest still gets Council funding
Queensland’s Easterfest escaped a move by Toowoomba Council to force it to stand on its own feet. Some councillors pushed for the Christian festival to pay 50% of rental for use of Queens Park and to halve its $65,000 subsidy, saying that despite 20,000 attending the event, it wasn’t a money-spinner. But Council has decided to contribute $55,000 towards the 2014 festival.
More speakers for WAM Festival Conference
Latest additions to the speaker list for the WAM Festival Music Conference (November 7 and 8, in Perth) are MGM Distribution’s Sebastian Chase, AIR’s Nick O’Byrne, Big Day Out’s Adam Zammit, Warner Music’s Heath Bradby, Tame Impala manager Jodie Regan, and SPA’s Leigh Treweek.
David Sefton to direct fourth Adelaide Festival
The South Australian Government extended Adelaide Festival’s artistic director David Sefton‘s role to four years, keeping him in the seat until 2016. Liverpool-born Sefton, who created London’s Meltdown festival, was contracted to run three festivals from 2013-15. The board said it liked his innovative ideas. This year it drew 327,000 and took $2.6 million at the box office, with 76 sold-out shows.
- Christie Eliezer
