Music fans’ comments sound downbeat note
THE news that Newcastle’s This is Tomorrow music festival has been cancelled for 2022 was greeted with disappointment, dismay and a bit of finger pointing.
Organisers have said the event planned in June for Exhibition Park will not be going ahead this year.
The announcement comes after a row over noise complaints that has seen Newcastle City Council impose a set of new restrictions, which it has been claimed will make it impossible for concerts to be held in the park.
Festival bosses said the new rules are “challenging” but are not the cause of the postponement, which has been put down to rising costs and an “oversaturated market”. The event is now scheduled to return in May 2023.
The three-day festival was due to happen from June 3 to 5 but no acts were ever announced for it. Our readers shared their disappointment at not having the festival return on our Facebook page.
Dawn Redhead commented: “If my old memory serves me right it was the noise travelling to Jesmond or thereabouts which stopped open air Gateshead stadium gigs. I’m nearly 25 years older from when that was decided and I still twist my face at noise complaints for a one-off festival.
“It’s gorgeous hearing all that happiness, music, cheering etc from your back garden. I remember my dad many years ago now, saying he was sitting in his pigeon loft listening to Bryan Adams drifting down the Tyne from an open air gig (he was wishing it was Elvis but still loved it!).
“Personally I think all surrounding residents should be told there’ll be a certain number of gigs that get planning every year at any of these venues and residents will just have to live with it. They’re important for culture and economy and the happiness of our young people.”
Responding to questions about why it was cancelled, Fiona Mcbride wrote: “That’ll be the good folks of Jesmond who complained about the noise.
“Years ago I lived in Brecon, Wales. The town holds a jazz festival. I was sat in my back garden Amy Winehouse was debuting her Back to Black album in the pub down the road – that was the best concert I’ve never attended!”
Paul Miller was not impressed: “Why is it so complicated to organise music events in Newcastle? Other parts of the country manage. The 90 complaints doesn’t justify cancelling festival. Embarrassing for Newcastle.”
Louise Marie Browne added: “I’m not surprised, if no acts had been announced why would you buy a ticket not knowing whether it’ll be artists you like.”
There was a great deal of disappointment, summed up by Nigel Holliday: “Big shame it was a big pull for Newcastle and did attract a lot of visitors to the local hotels, bars and clubs.”
It left Ashley Nolan a little pessimistic: “This is Tomorrow, more like this is a living nightmare. Thought we were passed Covid and other stuff getting in the way of fun.”
We end on an upbeat note and a joke from Joy Bawden who reminded us: “It’s not cancelled .... its been rescheduled to... Tomorrow!... I’ll get my coat!”