Festival organisers listen to fan forums

Kiss played the Download festival in June 2008

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Tuesday, 06, Jan 2009 10:22

Organisers of the Download and Wireless music festivals are to give fans a greater say in the running of the events.

Music promoter Live Nation plans to roll out a number of new initiatives for Download 2009 in mid-June, having examined feedback from fans posting on online forums.

The most significant of the new measures includes keeping the rock event at Donington Park, even with the British Grand Prix hosting the site in 2010.

"We were talking to them about the way that the site is laid out because of the slight changes brought about by the Grand Prix," said Live Nation's vice-president of music Andy Copping.

"We're also looking at upgrading our food facilities and access to the actual festival from the campsites," he told the BBC.

Toilet facilities will be upgraded with better camping facilities for disabled attendees and a reduction in the distances between stage areas and campsites.

And with fans of Download having played a part in the running of the festival - which attracted 60,000 people in 2008 - Live Nation has pledged to listen to fans' feedback for the Wireless festival, as well as T in the Park, Reading and Leeds.

"Our festival partners have looked at how we've adapted and moved forward with Download and now want to use those same systems and set up forums specific to each festival," Copping confirmed.

"You can't just find a bit of grass, put up a stage, put bands on and expect people to turn up," he went on.

"[Fans] expect far more these days, if they're going be spending a hundred pounds a ticket, you've got to offer them a really good deal."

The Zoo8 festival, held at Port Lympne wild animal park in Kent in July, drew scores of complaints from fans attending its inaugural outing, after major acts withdrew, and festivalgoers faced lengthy queues for toilet and food facilities.