No chances taken on talent who might have excited the under 30s. No Jimmy LaFaves from Austin, Texas, no Nick Caves from London, no Ben Harpers or Beth Ortons, no Mae Moores or Sarah McLachlans from the West Coast or Lynn Mileses from Los Angeles. Our festival has become musically safe. It has strayed from its foundations. It's now more site gratification than inspired music.
Folks listen to each other more closely than they listen to the performers.
Again we heard the Wickham lament about there not being enough money to land bigger names. Van Morrison is again not available. Our dollar is too weak to lure top American talent. Luckily, fair weather follows around Wickham's festivals like money follows around Premier Ralph Klein. Both gents however have a saving and a spending problem.