This Is Guernsey

By Natalie Harrison

(Picture by PA)

DRUG CONCERN has given Pete Doherty’s upcoming Guernsey gig their blessing. The musician hit the headlines last year due to his relationship with supermodel Kate Moss and his high-profile drug problem.

But Guernsey’s Drug Concern charity has said Doherty performing at Guernsey Live on 3 and 4 May could set a good example for the island’s youth. ‘We work with people who are trying to get off drugs, so if he is doing just that he’s setting a good example by continuing with his music,’ said Tracy Rear, Drug Concern manager.

‘It is extremely hard work when you are addicted to drugs, so good luck to him and keep doing what you are doing,’ she said. ‘It depends how he presents himself over whether or not he will be a good role model and it can be interpreted differently by different people.’

Positiv festival organiser Warren Holt said that first and foremost they had looked at the line-up as musicians.

‘We knew it was going to be controversial [booking Doherty], but we want them as musicians and weren’t looking at anything else.’

He said that people who criticised Doherty’s playing in Guernsey ‘needed to look at the other side of the coin’.

‘We have booked Pete Doherty as he is a modern- day musical genius,’ said Mr Holt.

‘He sold out the Royal Albert Hall in 20 minutes – that’s over 5,000 tickets. We see that as having The Queen’s approval.’

He said that when Pete Doherty appeared on a television show hosted by Jonathon Ross, he came across as a ‘very pleasant and charming man’.

Reports suggest that Doherty is in training for the London Marathon.

All the festival’s artists and entourage were informed that they must respect and abide by local governing laws and customs control, he added.

And Mr Holt also allayed fears that the campsite – which will only be available to overseas customers and limited to 860 people – would not be in a fit state following the recent rain storms.

‘We will only be using the section of land by the Guernsey Bowl, the water runs down from there to the fields below which are unsuitable, unless we have a heat wave,’ he said.

He also moved to calm fears put forward by Victoria Avenue residents over prospective damage that may occur.

‘We have already met two of the residents and are sending out a letter to confirm that our security will protect their properties and cars and that they will be compensated if there is any damage,’ said Mr Holt.

And he said that the tickets, priced at £38 for the day and £65 for the weekend, were inexpensive.

‘Nothing like this has ever happened in Guernsey so there is nothing to compare, except Jersey Live or UK festivals. The tickets are hugely inexpensive,’ he said.

‘If you look around, this event will cost in excess of £500,000 to put together without wages for the organisers. This is a huge financial risk and investment for the organisers.’