Festival Off As Music Climate Cools

The Age

Friday December 12, 2008

Andrew Murfett

A THIRD summer music festival has bitten the dust, as times get tougher for promoters and fans.

The latest casualty is The Hot Barbeque, which was to have been held on New Year's Day at Birrarung Marr and featured rockers the Galvatrons.

A reduced line-up has been incorporated into the same promoter's dance event, Summadayze, at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

Hot Barbeque ticket holders can choose between Summadayze and a refund.

The cancellation follows the loss of next March's Point Nepean Music Festival and October's Great Escape.

The economic downturn, depreciating Australian dollar, and a nervous consumer base add up to trouble for the music festival scene, said Future Entertainment director Mark James.

ANDREW MURFETT

© 2008 The Age

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