Exclusive

NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL TO ROCK BRUM?

11-09-2007

Stand aside Glastonbury. Reading - move aside. The Stirrer has discovered that Birmingham is considering hosting a major music festival.

This weekend's Artsfest is almost certainly the last, with many in the artistic community feeling that after a decade "Europe's largest free festival" has run its course.

Birmingham's Cabinet member For Leisure Ray Hassall wants to replace it with a major new dance festival - expected to be confirmed in the next few weeks - which would be staged biannually.

But what happens in the alternate year? We can reveal that the Council has commissioned Audiences Central to carry out a feasibility study into the possibility of a music festival.

They've so far had two meetings with a range of interested people, ranging from rock to jazz to classical.

Although there has been some enthusiasm for the project, not everyone is convinced that it would be a success.

One issue to be clarified is whether it would feature one type of music - or several. Can you really combine rock and classical for example? And should it be about attracting star names or showcasing emerging artists?

There are also concerns about whether it would conflict with existing festivals such as Capsule, Supersonic, or Gigbeth.

One view is that it would be better for the Council to spend more promoting these home grown successes which have flourished organically, rather than attempting to create another giant event.