Tamworth entertainment leaders say they are not opposed to another country music festival showcasing international style acts, but someone would have to pay for it.
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After the sell-out CMC Rocks Festival in Queensland this month, a community member flagged the possibility of a similar event in the city at the Tamworth Country Music Festival feedback session last Tuesday night.
Council director of business and community John Sommerlad said the dynamics of the January festival were different to the CMC Rocks event.
“CMC Rocks is gated event, not only do the people putting on the event get revenue from ticket sales, but food and merchandise and the list goes on,” he said.
“It is important how they can get a return on their investment.
“The Tamworth Country Music festival is put on by more people than Tamworth Regional Council. You’ve got to remember it is in its 47th year and no other festival has lasted that long and continues to satisfy audience demand.”
Mr Sommerlad said attracting those big international acts came with big costs.
“It would be fantastic if a CMC Rocks type event was in Tamworth and not in conflict with the festival, but the challenge is going to be who is prepared to take the risk,” he said.
“Those big time acts don’t come cheaply and you have to buy the act in US dollars.”
Entertainment venues manager Peter Ross flagged that Tamworth had the power to pull in the big acts at other times of the year, including Kip Moore and Lee Brice’s concert in April.
