So it was with some disappointment that people came to realise that major drawcard Ben Harper would be playing only the festival this time around. Many loyal Sydney fans failed to understand how this could be. But if it's any consolation, the reason proved to be pretty elusive to the man whose idea it was as well. Because we're playing the festival, if we did dates in Sydney there'd be people who wouldn't go to the festival. This is a remarkable decision.
Harper receives unprecedented support from Australian audiences.
It is fair to say he is more popular in Australia than anywhere else. True, it is also fair to say that once punters have seen him in a Sydney show they may stop short of a bus trip to Byron. But that agreement was one of a shortlist of reasons. We've also got dates in the US quite quickly thereafter, dates that were booked before the festival. Harper is on firmer ground talking about his music and the fabled relationship he has with his audiences.