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"Memories of Woodstock" Aug 7-9 Cancelled
Since writing the words below, the wanna-be promoter, Brian Davies of New Dawn Events has formally cancelled the three day Memories Of Woodstock event at Shrewsbury, UK scheduled for the 7th , 8th , 9th August. Nearly all the acts had pulled out in the previous weeks except a few, including Tull. He cancelled us from the event on Friday July 31st, even when we offered to do the show for 50% of our agreed fee, in an attempt to save more money. The whole event was cancelled the next day along with the three day event at Crathes Castle in Scotland later in August (not a Tull show). We express our regrets and condolences to any of our fans who bought tickets for this event and are now, hopefully, in line to get their money back. Please let us know if this turns out not to be the case as we will try to bring pressure to bear. Ian Anderson Letter to Promoter FROM IAN ANDERSON, JETHRO TULL An open letter to Brian Davies of New Dawn Events: Sadly, and rather angrily, I have to acknowledge your effective cancellation of our appearance at the Memories of Woodstock Festival at West Midland Showgrounds, Shrewsbury UK on next Sunday the 9th August. As you are all too aware, most of the headline name acts have already cancelled in the last few weeks due to default of contract by you when you failed, after repeated requests, to transfer to them the standard advance payment of fee. Clearly you have attempted to put on this festival without adequate funding and have attempted to make all payments out of advance ticket sales which is a very naive and highly risky game plan for any promoter. An overdraft or other financial facility of considerable magnitude is required to put on an event of this kind. Mr Davies, you have already attempted to lay the blame with the bands who had to cancel including the unpaid headline American artists originally advertised. On Thursday 30th July, after endless promises to pay the advance to us, due on the 31st May, you wrote to me by e-mail saying: “We are having to say to
you that we are having great difficulty selling tickets for this event. Brian Davies” In spite of your intention to cancel our appearance, we immediately offered to perform for a figure of about 50% of the previously contracted fee (including the 10% deposit received on signing of the contract) in order not to disappoint our fans and further jeopardise your festival. You then said, as you have said many times in the last two months, that you would forward the money in the next 24 hours. This morning, Friday 31st July, I learn that you have now said that you are not able to pay after all and are persisting with your cancellation of our performance, leaving us with un-recoupable expenses and costs. I utterly deplore your tactics in forcing us to accept the cancellation at this late date and that you are short-changing the ticket-buyers. We have held on, in good faith and against better judgement, in the trust that you would find the additional festival funding you have maintained was forthcoming, in time to go ahead with at least some of the originally-advertised headline acts, including us. Your final e-mail comment suggesting over-charging by bands is strongly resented. Your marketing and promotion of the “Woodstock” event has been dismal and recently misleading as to the artists appearing. Please remove our name forthwith from both your website and any further advertising copy. Mr Davies, you were the promoter of a cancelled three day festival near Plymouth last year and have a three day event coming up in Scotland at Crathes Castle, cancelled two previous years running and, I hear this morning, now cancelled again as well. Fairport Convention were forced to cancel at your last West Midlands Showground event in May due to non-payment. When will you finally learn the painfully obvious lesson and give up this preposterous delusion of being a major concert promoter? You have acted irresponsibly to musicians and public alike. You make up the hat-trick of non-paying promoters I have encountered in 41 years of touring. At least the other two, managed to pay their 50% advances. You stated this morning that ticket-holding Tull fans requesting a refund would have this honoured. Please ensure that you, at least, manage this small professional service. Shame on you. Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull 17.15 Friday 31st July.
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