Memories of Woodstock festival in big cash row

Jul 27 2009 By Paul Cole, Sunday Mercury

IT was the pop festival built on love, peace and understanding.

But ambitious anniversary plans to recreate the famous Woodstock Festival in a leafy Midland town have fallen foul of a wrangle over ... MONEY.

Ten big acts have pulled out of the 40th birthday bash, claiming they have not been paid.

The three-day Memories of Woodstock event in Shrewsbury had looked set to be a fitting tribute to the 1969 festival that changed the face of music.

Among the big names from the 60s coming to the Midlands were American giants Blood Sweat & Tears, Jefferson Starship and It’s A Beautiful Day.

They were joined on the bill were prog-rock acts Asia, Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash, Focus, Yes guitarist Steve Howe and many more.

But, with just a fortnight to go before the August 7 to 9 festival on the town’s West Midlands Showground, the final line-up is still uncertain.

Although Melanie, Curved Air, Jack Bruce and others will still play, many of the advertised groups are no longer taking part.

At the heart of the row are claims by pop management company QEDG that several of its acts – including some of the biggest names on the bill – have not received the staged advance payments set out in their contracts.

“The promoter has failed to pay contractual amounts,” said company boss Martin Darvill. “He is several weeks behind, and is very difficult to contact. There are various other issues which could be raised, too.”

Among the acts from the QEDG stable to be withdrawn are Asia – whose Steve Howe, Icon and Carl Palmer Band spin-offs were also on the bill – and Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash and Focus.