| The Dundee Blues Bonanza — which has become the largest free blues, boogie, rock and roots festival in the UK — is struggling to find the funding it needs to continue on the same grand scale as before.
Organiser Bob Telford told the Tele that although there is no doubt the festival will go ahead this year, it is looking increasingly likely it will not be able to attract the same calibre of international acts as before.
“To keep it at the level that we have had it at in previous years is going to be very difficult,” he said. “The street level stuff will definitely go ahead because there has been a great number of venues interested in taking part.
“We have a unique structure where the venues are self-funding and, in actual fact, have always been the largest sponsor.
“But as far as the international acts are concerned it going to be very tough to find the money to bring them over.”
Mr Telford (pictured) stressed, however, that some international acts were still planning on making the trip to Dundee at their own expense.
Last year, acts from across the UK, Europe and the United States came together to make the Bonanza the biggest in its 14 year history.
It was headlined by international stars Bob Hall and Nikolaj Anderson and saw more than 130 acts play over three days in more than 30 city venues.
But Mr Telford says that in the current economic climate it is proving very difficult to ensure the event — which provides a big boost for local pubs, hotels and other businesses — gets the funding required to match last year’s success.
“The bottom line is it is a period of recession and it is going to be very difficult to keep the international level in Dundee,” he said.
He added it appeared Dundee City Council would be reducing its financial contribution to the event, and other sponsors were also proving difficult to find.
“We have had some funding from the council but it is way down on what it used to be. We have had some funding from other sources, but again it is proving very difficult. What we have done is gone around and got endorsements — some really great endorsements — and we are now going to just bombard the powers that be and hope to get somewhere.
“It is a problem that is happening everywhere and a lot of other festivals in Britain are struggling.”
A spokeswoman for Dundee City Council said, “We have received an application for funding for the Blues Bonanza which is being dealt with. A decision will be made at the next leisure and arts committee at the end of this month.”
The Dundee Blues Bonanza 2009 will run from June 26 to 28. |
