Memories of Woodstock festival in big cash row

Jul 27 2009 By Paul Cole, Sunday Mercury

“And we put together a great line-up. It was hard work to get so many bands from the era together. Melanie was the first to sign up – I’ve been friendly with her since way back when I worked on her sound and lighting.

“Sadly, there is a dispute with one management company who represent a number of the acts, and there have been a number of false accusations about health and safety concerns.

“I will be taking legal action against the manager concerned if these accusations are not withdrawn from his band’s websites.

“As to payment, I do not agree with giving anyone upfront fees in full.

“You pay a deposit and then make split payments.

“All the artists were going to get paid by the end of the month, but they wouldn’t wait.

“We had problems separate with US acts Blood Sweat & Tears, Jefferson Starship and Quicksilver Messenger Service, who failed to get their immigration paperwork together in time.

“As for It’s A Beautiful Day, we were going to put a tour together for them but we couldn’t get any more gigs. I still have the really big acts and I am now in the position of working with another management company to bring in new bands.

“But the show will go on. It is the only Woodstock anniversary event of its kind, we have great acts, a beautiful setting, a tent the size of a football pitch, hog roasts, bars and merchandise stalls. It will be a great three days.”

California rock manager Michael Gaiman, who represents Jefferson Starship and Quicksilver Messenger Service, disputes Mr Davies’ version of events, saying he pulled his acts because promised payments failed to arrive.

“The promoter repeatedly missed deadlines for posting the required artist deposits, and those that that were received were for arbitrarily diminished amounts,” he said. “For weeks, we patiently waited then heard that other artists had like experiences and were pulling out.

“We advised the buyer that he needed to put up the balance of the artist’s fees or our bands would also withdraw. On the final deadline day, he e-mailed a compromise but the money wasn’t sent and we cancelled.”

Among ticket outlets for the event is Birmingham’s independent Swordfish Records, where owner Mike Caddick says there is confusion about exactly who will step up on stage.

“It’s getting to be a pain in the neck,” he said. “About four weeks ago Mr Davies asked if we would be a ticket outlet for the show. He mentioned that he had the original line-up of American band It’s A Beautiful Day lined up.

“But at least two of them are dead, so that would be a miracle. We’re not entirely sure who’s on the bill now, and ticket sales have been poor. We have only sold two weekend passes so far.”

Tickets allowing admission to all three days are priced £100. Individual day tickets are on sale for £36. The up-to-date line-up can be viewed at Brian Davies’ website, www.new-dawn-events.co.uk.

* In a separate wrangle, it has emerged that Irish band Taste, a new addition to the festival, may face legal action, too

The band, including previous members of the original group and described by Mr Davies as a reunion of the 60s rock trio led by the late guitarist Rory Gallagher, has not got the blessing of the Gallagher family, who are trying to stop them performing.

“The family has not given any blessing to any new incarnation of Taste, and Donal Gallagher is currently pursuing legal action against them,” said Daniel Gallagher of management firm Strange Music Ltd.

“They take great exception to the idea that a band which split in 1970 can attempt to be re-started some 39 years later without its founding member, frontman, leader and only composer-songwriter.”

The line-up ... and who'll be missing > > >