'High Risk' NSW Festival Invites Gladys Berejiklian To 2019 Event: 'She Can Have A Guestlist'

Organisers of NSW's Up Down festival have invited state premier Gladys Berejiklian to the 2019 event just days after it was named on a list of festivals deemed "high risk".

With just three weeks to go until Up Down 2019, organisers said, "Gladys Berejiklian can have a guestlist of 10 and might like to bring her friend, Liberal National Party candidate for Newcastle, Blake Keating or Minister for Liquor and Gaming Paul O'Toole for a relaxing afternoon mixer on the foreshore".

The Up Down team, which also works on fellow Newcastle festival This That (also named on the high risk list), claim they have "directed events and festivals across NSW without major incidence or death for over 12 years".

"We do not condone the use of drugs at any event we run. We want to invite the Premier and her colleagues to Up Down to enjoy the experience of why we put these events on, for the music," organisers said.

"With the last set finishing at 9pm, it should also suit her bedtime too. We've even included a ticket here she can print and bring with her for entry."

To "honour" being named on the high risk list, Up Down are changing the name of the popular 'buy four get one free' ticket offer to the 'Gladys' Party Pack'. All sales from now until the day of the festival will receive a limited edition Up Down save live music t-shirt (one per pack purchased).

Up Down goes ahead on Sunday 17 March at Newcastle Foreshore with performances from the likes of The Bloody Beetroots, Nina Las Vegas and Set Mo.

It comes after Laneway Festival also slammed the decision for its Sydney event to be included on the NSW Government's high risk list as "preposterous".

"We are angry that the NSW Government is so dismissive of the industry who contribute so much to the state's economy and culture. It is a short-sighted political move that panders to the conservative media and vote," organiser Danny Rogers said.