Irvine defends cancelled festival

Pete Irvine believes the summer music circuit has reached saturation point at a time when the economic downturn is beginning to bite.

The managing director of Unique Events spoke out after reluctantly pulling the plug on the Outsider Festival, which was due to take place next month.

The cancellation of the three-day event, which was to be headlined by Sharleen Spiteri, comes as a number of big-name artists are struggling to sell out shows, while a handful of tickets are still available for T in the Park.

It is thought that less than half of the 5,000 tickets had been sold for the Outsider, which was scheduled to take place at Rothiemurcus Forest near Aviemore.

A number of other high-profile festivals such as Connect at Inverary Castle, the Homecoming dance festival in Irvine and Live at Loch Lomond have already been axed this summer.

A disappointed Irvine said: "There are more tickets for sale for festivals and concerts in Scotland this summer than ever before. It is more than anyone ever imagined.

"We are a small country which has sadly become over-saturated in terms of big events. It is just crazy when there is a limited amount of money around."

As well as the long-established T in the Park, the coming months will see a host of festivals taking place, including Rock Ness, Belladrum, Wickerman, Retrofest, Loopallu and the Garden Party at Kelburn Castle.

In addition, a host of major outdoor concerts are being staged, including gigs by Oasis, Take That, the Eagles, Coldplay, Simple Minds, Bruce Springsteen and Crosby, Stills and Nash.

Irvine, who is also behind Edinburgh's Hogmanay events, said: "As well as being hugely disappointing, it is also a financial blow for us.

"Most of the big festivals in Scotland are run by international companies who have incredibly deep pocket. We are an independent Edinburgh-based company and we have to be more cautious and pragmatic.

"Our strong belief in the Outsider concept remains and we will think again once the financial climate improves."

The event was to have featured mountain biking, comedy, political debate and arthouse film screenings. Organisers of the Rock Ness festival said they were keen to look at accommodating community projects that were due to take place at the axed event. Director Jim King claimed they remained in a strong position after increasing their artist budget by 30 per cent.

The event, which will take place on the banks of Loch Ness next month, will feature performances from the Prodigy, Basement Jaxx and Dizzee Rascal.

Scotland on Sunday would like to apologise to readers who entered a competition in Review for tickets to the Outsider Festival