Major Blues & Roots Festival Cancels After Headliner Issues

Deniliquin’s Big Sky Blues & Roots Festival – formerly the Deni Blues & Roots Festival – has been cancelled for 2015.

Set to feature some of the world’s biggest blues, roots and soul artists – including the Zac Brown Band, George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic and Michael Franti & Spearhead – problems “securing multiple headline artists” has caused promoters Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge to pull the plug.

“Following several of the headline artists that were due to be touring next April cancelling their plans, we have made the decision not to proceed with the festival in 2015,” Michael Chugg said.

“We'd love to put the show on with the great artists we have already secured, but it's just not financially viable without the super line-up that we had always planned for. The Big Sky Blues & Roots Festival is a key event in our calendar and the last thing we want to do is push ahead with anything less than an amazing line up.”

He added the decision was “tough to make” and that they had been considering their options for a while.

“We always try to consider our ticket buyers and their experience and felt we wouldn't be able to deliver them the best possible event  in 2015. We also have to thank the great team of people that work hard to make these events happen and never want to take for granted what an incredible community spirit Deniliquin has shown us.”

Today’s announcement is not the end of the festival, according to Chugg, which he intends to bring back in 2016. In

Tickets purchased online through the festival’s website will be automatically refunded, while early bird and local ticket holders will be able to get refunds from their place of purchase.