Maddah Hits Back At Albarn

AJ Maddah, who took over as co-promoter of Big Day Out festival this year, hit out at Blur singer Damon Albarn’s comments on why the British act pulled out as a 2014 headliner.

Photo: AP Photo / Paulo Duarte

Optimus Primavera Sound, Parc del Forum, Porto, Portugal

The singer told the New Zealand Herald in March that the band wanted to go out on a high note with the festival appearance being its its final show, but had become disillusioned with its promoters who had not been “straight” with the band.

But Maddah told Australian website The Vine that the real reason that Blur cancelled was they were having “fisticuffs” in South America.

He claimed the rest of the band wanted to play the event but Albarn alone made the decision to cancel.

“Blur pulling out wasn’t for financial reasons,” Maddah told The Vine. “The band were grossly overpaid. Like massively overpaid.” He quoted their fee as A$5 million ($4.6 million) for six shows.