Zoo8 organisers apologise after cash-flow crisis
Organisers of much-maligned Zoo8 festival apologise
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Tuesday, 08, Jul 2008 12:17
The organisers of the much-maligned Zoo8 festival have apologised for the financial problems that led to top bands withdrawing.
The Rascals, Athlete, Roni Size and UK number one artist Dizzee Rascal all withdrew from the Kent festival last weekend, leaving fans furious.
And after festivalgoers slammed the event's poor facilities and lengthy queues as well the high-profile cancellations, co-director Danny Blanche has issued an apologetic statement.
"Our biggest problem was one of miscalculation over cash-flow," he explained.
"This required us to make pragmatic decisions to cancel a few acts.
"Thankfully, with some vital assistance from Port Lympne Wildlife Park, we managed to keep the show on the road, with the vast majority of the popular acts appearing."
The wildlife park stepped in to write a cheque for Northern Irish rockers Ash among others.
However, the organisers maintained the event had been a "qualified success", saying the "sun-soaked revellers enjoyed some extraordinary sets in the beautiful rolling Kent countryside".
Acts such as Mark Ronson, the Cribs, Gallows, the Hives and Pendulum were among those that did appear at the festival near Ashford, Kent.
Matt Dice, the event's co-director, said on Monday that organisers "will be dealing with any complaints posted on the forum or sent to the office, and will respond to each on a case by case basis".
"Three other festivals went under this very weekend - we're operating in seriously tough market conditions but we'll rectify everything from this year and definitely be back for Zoo9," he added.