This Is Guernsey

PLANS for a major music festival in Guernsey were scrapped yesterday. The organisers of Jersey Live, which this year is headlined by Kasabian, were hoping to hold a similar event at Saumarez Park.

It had even started up a Myspace page plugging the event for Friday 13 and Saturday 14 July.

But in an announcement on its website, Postiv’s Warren Le Sueur said: ‘We regrettably have to announce that the planned Guernsey Live festival is not now going to take place due to a number of uncontrollable circumstances.’

Over the past months organisers have held meetings with local authorities, including the police, in an attempt to get the event off the ground.

‘We have not been able to confirm our planned headliner in time after such a long wait,’ said Mr Le Sueur.

‘We need the headliner in place to sell the show and it is past our deadlines to be able to produce the show. We will look forward to planning the 2008 event as the launch and will now concentrate on planning for Jersey Live 2007.’

Guernsey Police were surprised by the news. ‘As far as we were concerned, the event was going ahead. Permission for amplified sound had been granted, but no liquor licence application had been received,’ said Inspector Trevor Coleman.

‘The police had recently been trying to contact the organisers to find out how plans were progressing, but without much success.’

The event in Jersey has been popular with Guernsey music fans in the past few years. It takes place at the Royal Jersey showground.

Kasabian also headlined the event in 2005.

They were nominated for the best live act at the Brit Awards this year.

Also playing the main stage are The Fratellis, The Rakes, The Enemy, Goose and The Alter Kicks.

Various acts have also been confirmed for the dance arena.

These include Digitalism, Steve Lawler, DJ Format, Boys Noize, Optimo, Justin Robertson and DJ Netik.

In announcing the line-up for Jersey Live, promoter Warren Holt said: ‘We are expecting Kasabian to be even better then they were two years ago. If we bring back an act they have to have released a new album, which they have done with Empire. It was a great opportunity to bring them back.’

* Jersey Live is sponsored by Jersey Telecom and takes place on 1 and 2 September. For more information, visit www.jerseylive.org.uk.

Article posted on 9th May, 2007 - 12.00am