Music

Heavenly Planet festival will be free

By Linda Fort
February 20, 2009

Reading families feeling the pinch can look forward to a fabulous summer festival for FREE.

The economic downturn has hit ticket sales for the Heavenly Planet event but, rather than cancel this summer’s newest music festival, organisers have decided to let everyone in free of charge.

The new festival – on Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11 – is the brainchild of Melvin Benn of Festival Republic, former creative director of Womad Thomas Brooman and Reading Borough Council.

Lead councillor for culture and sport Graeme Hoskin told the Evening Post: “We had planned to make this a ticketed event but take-up of tickets was not as good as we had hoped. It is a difficult time economically and a difficult time to launch a new festival.

“But rather than give up on it, which none of us wanted, we decided for the first year we would open it up for everyone for free.”

Cllr Hoskin said Festival Republic had experience of running free festivals and Womad had run at a loss in the early years before it took off. He explained there were savings to be made on security – that is, keeping non-ticket holders out – when a festival was free.

He said: “Obviously there will be no compromises on safety. Health and safety issues are paramount.”

He said it was not anticipated free admission would lead to overcrowding on the Rivermead site because of the nature of the line-up at the family event.

Cllr Hoskin said: “The council’s role as a licensing authority is entirely separate from its role as one of the organisers and we will make absolutely certain that it will be a well-run event. Festival Republic are very professional and experienced in running festivals.”

He said the council’s cash contribution to the running of the festival would be capped at £75,000 and that would not increase following the decision to allow free entrance.

Cllr Hoskin said: “The fact is that Reading Festival and – in the past – Womad give an enormous boost to the economy in Reading because of the number of people who come into the town and we hope that will happen with Heavenly Planet. We want to give people an opportunity to discover what this new festival is all about.”

Because Reading council is now a hung council, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have been briefed on the decision to make it a free festival.

Cllr Hoskin said: “I think it is great to think on a chilly February day that we all have something great to look forward to in July.”

Those who have already bought tickets will receive a cash refund. “And we are looking at ways in addition that we can thank them for being so supportive,” Cllr Hoskin added.

Thomas Brooman told the Evening Post: “This festival was always about light-heartedness, happiness and optimism and we – Melvin Benn, the council and I – have made a very sincere commitment to the town to produce this festival.

“It would be very easy in this economic climate to just give up and say it is too difficult, but we don’t want to give up.”

He said he hoped most of the bands already announced would still play but admitted the decision to become a free festival would dramatically change the budget available.

He said the plan to go ahead as a free festival would still have to be ratified by the council cabinet on Monday, March 16.

Melvin Benn who runs Festival Republic was unavailable for comment as he is out of the country.

The line-up for the festival so far includes the Ukele Orchestra of Great Britain, the Drummers of Burundi, Bassekou Kouyate, Ngoni Ba and the Wonder Stuff.

The Evening Post is the local media partner for the festival.

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Ooooh God forbid, people might have fun!

All of you people out there who insist on labeling festival goers as 'hippies', 'chavs', 'scum' etc, think on these words - MISERABLE OLD FUDDY DUDDIES

S
07/05/2009 at 15:04

i think its a good opportunity for people who couldnt afford it to have the chance to go. For once we are getting somthing even if its not to our taste as it isnt to mine but im happy for the people who it does suit so stop moaning!

Daniel Smith, reading
23/02/2009 at 10:45

woooooo, free festival, im there !!!

FREE FESTIVAL
23/02/2009 at 00:09

This is a great idea. Why shouldn't young people enjoy themselves for free - I used to. Miserable curmudgeons go away - it won't be a problem for you then! BTW - The music of Satan has always been better than the alternative.

Barney Thomson, Alba
22/02/2009 at 21:11

It's a free gig, enjoy it while it lasts. Womad started off free and by the 15th year people were paying near enough the same amount as a ticket for Reading festival. The reason it's at Rivermead and not on the outskirts of Reading is so that people from Tilehurst, Caversham, Southcote and even Coley (if you're up for the trek) can walk down, decreasing the inevitably large amount of traffic jams. If you don't think you'll enjoy the atmosphere, don't go, it's as simple as that. Stop moaning about the 'low-life' and 'chavs' who might just enjoy themselves at this festival as well, you're as trashy as you're making out these stereotypes to be. As for me, I think it will be a great gig, something to keep this summer lively!

shinnyyy, Reading
22/02/2009 at 20:29

This is great news, i cant wait its about time there is something decent and different (and free) to look forward to in this clone town

Wide Eye, Reading
22/02/2009 at 17:20

This will be a disaster. These unbelievably stupid people run our town?

We won't be cashing in on welly sales.

Stock up on trauma kits now. We will need them.

szegerely, reading
21/02/2009 at 23:01

It might have been more prudent to have announced that admission will be by voluntary donation.

sensible, reading
21/02/2009 at 14:41

It is outrageous that £75,000 of tax payers money should be spent on hippy infidels enjoying the music of Satan. If Reading Borough Council has spare cash it should be spent on Cleric Abu Qatada legal bills!

Drew Peacock, Emmer Green
21/02/2009 at 11:00

This is great news and shows real courage by both the council and the organisers.

They could have just cancelled and cut their loses.

Instead they are going to have a packed festival with a great atmosphere and something to build on for next year.

We'll all get a chance to go to hear some great live music regardless of how deep our pockets are.

The kind of music they are putting on is hardly going to attract the low-life element anyway.

I'm digging out my headband and bongos already.

JA, Caversham
20/02/2009 at 17:34

The chavs and scummers wont be going unless they're handing out giro cheques on the door, we might just be ok

Barry_Evans, tilehurst
20/02/2009 at 17:14

You'd be miserable if Martin Salter had eaten your cat...

Reading Headings, Reading
20/02/2009 at 16:46

What a load of old miseries!!! I'll be there watching the Ukes with my kids - it's great to have such an opportunity of a new festival on our doorsteps. The free bit DOES worry me as rightly has been pointed out some of the local low-life might turn up. Hopefully they'll get well trampled by hippy sandals though and head off back to the Butts instead!!

Common Cents, Reading
20/02/2009 at 16:35

What does 'mismanged' mean?

Reading Headings, Reading
20/02/2009 at 16:17

check out all the booing in these comments whats up to old and pass it to go and enjoy it you sad old farts, you would have thought people would be happy something is free and seeing that the mismanged money in this town is never going to benefit US then this is a nice return for US to enjoy,but you old moaners on here wont be happy unless they spend it on new bingo halls for you and your dull sad lives.