This was the bare bones of what i am doing now, but was still lots of fun.
-What has been your biggest challenge establishing it?
With the first couple of years there was very little money to put into the event, so I had to do most of the jobs myself. It did ware me out!
I now have a large team of people that are experts in each area. Things run much smoother now. I am pleased I have had a part to play in all these areas, as I have a thorough understanding of what people are doing.
-Do you think the music industry is shifting towards live music as its way to make money?
Definitely. Illegal downloads are pushing artists to take to the road and perform. I think it is a really positive thing as they now cant just pump out studio engineered music without any talent and make loads of cash.
-Is diversity important in the festival season?
I think so, diversity in anything is important. If everyone was doing the same thing all the time we would still be in caves now. The festival has so much diversity, with music, food, people, activities. I should have called it Diversity Fest.
-I was reading about the interesting designs for the stages. Can you explain those?
We have a house party theme running throughout the festival. Each stage has its own identity like an area in a house.
The Main stage is the Living Room with a giant picture frame on the back wall that is blank until the sun goes down then it turns in to a canvas of moving images synchronised to the music.
The Bedroom Bar is a bigtop that has lots of beds, wardrobes, and other bedroom furniture. It is great during the day people can lay back and relax to awesome bands.
In the evening after 12 it becomes a dance arena until 4 am for those with stamina. Other areas are the Observatory visuals dome, the Summer house Cocktail bar, the Reggae Rumpus room, The Kitchen food area and the Playroom area for the kids.
-What is it that makes Jelly Festival stand out?
It's the fact that everyone can come and enjoy it. Keeping a balance with family fun and festival fun.
There is lots for the kids to do with workshops, activities, shows and rides and loads for any other age up. It's one of the only times I have seen teens out with there parents and not feeling awkward.
-What kind of announcements can we be expecting leading up to the festival?
Some more bands are going to be announced to keep people on the edge of their seats.
-Where would you like Jelly Festival to end up?
I would say that it would be ideal next to a jelly factory, so they can pump it out all over the event field and create a complete land of jelly.
Female First - Alistair McGeorge