“WATCH this space” – that’s the message from Ros Sidaway after a successful conclusion to the John Bonham Festival at the Palace Theatre last week.
The festival director admitted she was still coming down from the event which saw bands play across three town centre venues in tribute to the greatest rock drummer ever – and son of Redditch – John Bonham, who died 41 years ago.
With a range of free music and festival stalls on Church Green, bands at ‘Arena Redditch’ underneath the arches at the back of the library and two gigs at the Palace there was much to savour for music fans who came to the town from all over the world, including the USA, Germany and Norway.
The event was also livestreamed to fans worldwide, truly putting Redditch firmly on the map.
That’s not all, as it was all for a good cause too, with the Teenage Cancer Trust standing to benefit from the event by in the region of £1,500.
Ros acknowledged there was much to learn too, with music lovers flocking to the free fringe event leaving ticket sales down at both Arena Redditch and at the Palace.
“There’s lots to think about for future events,” she said.
“What probably distracted people was the fringe festival being free and then having to pay for tickets at the arena, but we have had some fantastic feedback, and we know there were a lot of people from out of town who visited, although the fuel situation meant some couldn’t make it.”
As for the future, she said a ‘festival’ might not be the way forward.
“I do think across the country we’ve reached a point of festival fatigue,” she said.
“I still want to remember John, I think it’s good for both the fans and the town, but we’re considering something different for next time, something for the fans. Watch this space.”
Fora review of the festival’s closing gig, click: here
