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• Beachdown Festival Cancelled Due To Slow Ticket Sales On the eve of it taking place... By Scott Colothan on 26 August 2009

  Beachdown Festival has been cancelled on the eve of the event taking place this weekend.

  Organisers have posted a statement on the Beachdown Festival blaming poor ticket sales and pressure from the bank on the cancellation.

  The Brighton Festival was due to feature performances from Super Furry Animals, The Zutons, The Fall, Saint Etienne and more.

  The full statement reads:

  Dear All

  It is with immense personal regret that the Directors of Beachdown Festival have been advised that they must announce that due to slower than forecast ticket-sales and lack of support at a critical time from our bank and certain suppliers that despite being so so close to being able to deliver Beachdown Festival we are unable to do so. Very simply we were unable to meet the demands that the current economic climate put against us and at the eleventh hour despite having most of the infrastructure in place we have been forced to cancel the event.

  We wish to say at this time how desperately sorry we are to all those who have bought tickets or were participating in the event and to say that we all here are personally shattered expecially after eleven months of battling against the recession to try and put this event on and coming so close. We also wish to advise everyone that we explored every possible avenue to finance the event including re-mortgaging our houses to combat the unwillingness of banks to support us.

  We will do everything in our power to give the best information that we can via the web-site and via email but we ask that people understand that we will also be inundated with enquiries but we will endeavour to communicate to everyone as best we can.

  We ask all ticket-holders to get information from the outlet that you purchased the ticket from in the first instance and once again we will do everything we can to get as much information as we can to everyone as quickly as we can.

  Directors

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• Reading And Leeds Organiser Speaks About Festival Flags Ban Which starts this week... By Jason Gregory on 25 August 2009

  Melvin Benn, organiser of the Reading and Leeds festivals, has spoken about his decision to ban flags at this year's event.

  As part of the clampdown, festivalgoers who bring tall flags to both sites this week will have them confiscated on the gates.

  Speaking to the BBC, Benn described the flags as a “nightmare”, adding: “The people behind them - not immediately behind them, but 20 or 30 rows behind them - can't see."

  Benn also revealed that the Glastonbury festival was also considering introducing a ban in 2010.

  Flags have become an increasingly common fixture at music festivals over recent years, with some being used as adverts for private companies.

  The Reading and Leeds festivals kick off this Friday and will feature headlining performances from Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys and Kings of Leon.

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• Noel Gallagher Admits He Didn't Enjoy V Festival In his online blog... By David Renshaw on 24 August 2009

  Noel Gallagher has admitted that he did not enjoy the first night of V Festival at Weston Park in Staffordshire.

  Posting on his blog Gallagher said, “Boo! Just come off stage at V in Stafford. And I don't mind admitting that I didn't enjoy it one bit. Dunno know. Couldn't get into it. Very strange.”

  He went on to say, "Don't feel too clever. Outrageous stomach ache. Feel like I'm coming down with summat. Bugger. Might have to get the doctor out in the morning. Hope it came out of the speakers ok. Gutted.”

  Gallagher ended the post by saying, “Oh well, there's always tomorrow.”

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• Snow Patrol, Keane And MGMT Cover Oasis At V Festival In homage to the cancelled headliners... By David Renshaw on 24 August 2009

  Snow Patrol and Keane both paid tribute to the absent Oasis during their V Festival sets this weekend.

  Following the Manchester bands withdrawl earlier in the day Snow Patrol stepped up their support slot and closed the festival to rapturous applause.

  When Gary Lightbody mentioned Oasis the crowd booed however they all sang along when Snow Patrol performed acoustic covers of 'Wonderwall' and 'Champagne Supernova' during their encore.

  Meanwhile, headlining the 4Music stage, Keane performed a version of the Oasis hit 'Cast No Shadow' whilst thanking fans for choosing to watch them play.

  In a day of Oasis tributes MGMT rounded things off by opening their set with a cover of 'Live Forever' whilst a cardboard cut out of Liam Gallagher sat on the stage next to them.

  Snow Patrol cover Oasis at V Festival:

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• Amy Winehouse Guests With The Specials At V Festival - Photos She performs two songs... By David Renshaw on 24 August 2009

  Amy Winehouse returned to the UK stage over the weekend, making a surprise appearance with The Specials at the V Festival.

  Winehouse guested on two Specials songs, singing with Terry Hall on 'You're Wondering Now' then providing backing vocals on 'Ghost Town'.

  The Specials introduced the troubled singer as “Our good friend Amy.” having met her backstage and invited her to perform with them that day. Winehouse also appeared on stage with Pete Doherty earlier in the day though she did not sing with him.

  Sporting the same checked top as she did at V Festival last year Amy Winehouse looked notably healthier, a stark contrast to how she looked just a year ago.

  The V Festival appearance was the first time Winehouse has performed in the UK since T In The Park in 2008 and, bar a disastrous show in St Lucia, the first time she has performed live in over a year.

  Amy Winehouse with The Specials:

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• Oasis Cancel Headline Slot At V Festival Chelmsford Tonight Liam Gallagher has viral laryngitis... By Scott Colothan on 23 August 2009

  Oasis have cancelled their headline slot at V Festival Chelmsford tonight due to illness.

  According to a statement on Oasis' official website, Liam Gallagher is suffering from viral laryngitis and has been advised by doctors not to perform.

  A statement from the band reads: “After a year of being on the road this is the first performance to be lost to a band member’s illness, so naturally we are all completely gutted. Liam is resting up and should be fine to resume the tour next Friday in Paris.”

  Snow Patrol have now been moved up the bill and will headline instead. Oasis successfully completed their set at Hylands Park Staffordshire last night despite Liam being under the weather.

  V Festival director Bob Angus commented: "Fans will naturally be disappointed but of course – the artist’s health must come first. The acts on the V Stage are sure to play their set of their lives so fans have a fantastic Sunday night at V Festival, Chelmsford.”

  Oasis live:

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• Pete Doherty: 'The Libertines Will Reform For 2010 Festivals' Exciting news for fans... By Scott Colothan on 19 August 2009

  Pete Doherty has confirmed that The Libertines will be playing UK festival shows in 2010.

  Speaking ahead of his solo show at V Festival this weekend, Doherty explained to NME.com that he has already drafted in the support of Libs members Gary Powell and John Hassall and once Carl Barat gives the nod they'll confirm shows.

  Pete said: “It's (the reunion shows) gonna happen, you know. I spoke to John Hassall and he's well up for it.”

  Asked about whether Gary Powell would be up for it, Pete added: “He said he would.”

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• Police Issue Stark Drugs Warning To V Festival Revellers Sniffer dogs will be used and prosecutions made... By Scott Colothan on 18 August 2009

  Revellers attending both V Festivals this weekend have been warned by police not to take drugs onto the site.

  Staffordshire police have confirmed that sniffer dogs will be used on the Weston Park site to smell out drugs and anyone caught will be prosecuted.

  Chief Inspector Vera Bloor told the Birmingham Post: “Drugs aren’t welcome at V. If you take them, or deal in them, we’ll catch you and prosecute you.”

  Staffordshire police will also be taking random breath tests for fans entering and leaving the site to ensure they're not over the drink drive limit.

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• Final Acts Confirmed For Get Loaded In The Park They join the Xfm/Gigwise stage... By Scott Colothan on 18 August 2009

  Two new names have been added to the Xfm/Gigwise stage at this year's Get Loaded In The Park.

  VV Brown and the quite brilliant Miike Snow are the final acts to be confirmed for the festival, taking place on Clapham Common on Sunday, August 30.

  Also playing on the Xfm/Gigwise stage are headliners Royksopp, Esser, Booka Shade, Pendulum (DJ set), Esser, Trip, MPHO and Marina & The Diamonds.

  Elsewhere, the event boasts performances from Orbital, Peaches, Laurent Garnier, MSTRKRFT, Felix Da Housecat, Roni Size and many more.

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• Jersey Live 2009 Ticket System Updated You can now collect them in person... By Jason Gregory on 17 August 2009

  The ticket system for next month's Jersey Live festival has been updated.

  From Thursday (August 20), fans who purchase tickets via the festival's website will be able to collect them in person from the Jersey Telecom store.

  Meanwhile, fans on the UK mainland can still use online ticket outlets to purchase their tickets.

  The festival, which runs from September 5-6, will be headlined by Basement Jaxx and The Kooks.

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