Great Southern Blues Axed

In the wake of the cancellations of the Soundwave Revolution and the Funk & Grooves festival came news that the 16th Great Southern Blues Festival (Sept. 29 to Oct. 2) was axed due to low ticket sales.

The bill included high-profile acts John Butler Trio, Pete Murray, Kasey Chambers & Band, Blue King Brown and Booker T. Jones.
In a statement, organisers blamed “this current economic climate.”

But location may have been a factor as well.

It was staged for its first 14 years in Narooma, a fishing village three hours south of Sydney.

Last year when founder Neil Mumme sold the festival to Michael Chugg, it was moved to Batemans Bay – another laidback town about 100 kms away — because it had “outgrown” Narooma.

Mumme, who remained with the festival as a producer, told ABC Southeast radio that the move may have hurt.

Next year’s event might be moved again.

Meanwhile, Narooma Chamber of Commerce president Mark Anderson is keen to have the blues love-in back on his turf.