the future of GuilFest under threat?

[William of Walworth]

Tony publicises his plight!!

[Medina]

Just out of interest does anyone know roughly how many other largish independent festivals are run on council owned property - i couldn't think of any last night.

[rseamer]

Just out of interest does anyone know roughly how many other largish independent festivals are run on council owned property - i couldn't think of any last night.

[rummy]

Having a year dominated by corporate festivals gives no one else a chance. When a CEO of a large company decides he wants a festival it's solely for money and not for the love of music and performing arts shown by the independent organisers like Tony Scott.

Show your support join the Save Guilfest Facebook Group

[geofelgie]

I am not shocked that this is happening but the Council do seem to be treating Guilfest very shoddily.

I've said elsewhere that I think Guilfest needs to step-up somehow, improve its status, and find ways of putting on more "noteworthy" acts - I'm not talking about booking U2 or anything stupid......but the next Bon Iver, James Morrison, Arcade Fire, Nick Cave, etc are out there............or maybe even non-music stuff. I think it's suffered from trying to be just a bit too cheap......it needed to say to fans "we HAVE to charge more, both to give more in terms of line-up and to contribute more to the local community"........this would knock-on to upping the ability to attract sponsorship, etc. I am aware of the risk involved here but the bottom line is if a festival can't make money......it HAS to change.

But the council should've gone to Tony Scott, told him about the offer, and sat down with him to talk about how they could help him to bring a bit more status, maybe guarantee the council some sort of income at least. He and the festival have given so much to the area they deserve to be treated far better.

[William of Walworth]

I am not shocked that this is happening but the Council do seem to be treating Guilfest very shoddily.

I've said elsewhere that I think Guilfest needs to step-up somehow, improve its status, and find ways of putting on more "noteworthy" acts - I'm not talking about booking U2 or anything stupid......but the next Bon Iver, James Morrison, Arcade Fire, Nick Cave, etc are out there............or maybe even non-music stuff. I think it's suffered from trying to be just a bit too cheap......it needed to say to fans "we HAVE to charge more, both to give more in terms of line-up and to contribute more to the local community"........this would knock-on to upping the ability to attract sponsorship, etc. I am aware of the risk involved here but the bottom line is if a festival can't make money......it HAS to change.

But the council should've gone to Tony Scott, told him about the offer, and sat down with him to talk about how they could help him to bring a bit more status, maybe guarantee the council some sort of income at least. He and the festival have given so much to the area they deserve to be treated far better.

[5co77ie]

I spoke to Stuart Galbraith yesterday, rather nice bloke, although his company Kilimanjaro are not involved with this AEG event - he said he believed the council approached them about a new festival - not the other way around.

[William of Walworth]

I spoke to Stuart Galbraith yesterday, rather nice bloke, although his company Kilimanjaro are not involved with this AEG event - he said he believed the council approached them about a new festival - not the other way around.

[Medina]

Excellent news today (10 October) that AEG appear to have withdrawn their proposal for a new Festival that could have spelt the end for Guilfest.

Hopefully that will allow Tony Scott to plan Guilfest 2009 without further hostile rivalry.

Nice when one of the little guys sees off the big commercial concerns.

Well done Tony!

[Paul ™]

Brilliant news

[William of Walworth]

More details in efests news form here ....

[jayhemera]

Great news for Guilfest and the organisers.

One thinks that their should be some Q & A from Council as too their approaching rival companies about staging an event on the same grounds where an existing successful festival is already in place.

How very dare they.

[Harrow Strongbow Ciderman!]

What is the latest with Guilfest for 2009?

Very sad to read this thread & I'm not up to speed with whether this lovely Festival is gonna happen this summer or not.

[eFestivals]

What is the latest with Guilfest for 2009?

Very sad to read this thread & I'm not up to speed with whether this lovely Festival is gonna happen this summer or not.

yeah, it's going ahead, no problems.

They'd have even been the first line-up announcement by now (which is very unusual this early), but one of the bands they'd booked cancelled on them (with good reason).

First line-up details are normally announced in about March, and I guess it'll be the same this year. Last I heard (a little while back now) they were yet to book headliners.

[Harrow Strongbow Ciderman!]

yeah, it's going ahead, no problems.

They'd have even been the first line-up announcement by now (which is very unusual this early), but one of the bands they'd booked cancelled on them (with good reason).

First line-up details are normally announced in about March, and I guess it'll be the same this year. Last I heard (a little while back now) they were yet to book headliners.