While totally agreeing with Mandy Nolan’s sentiments in her rage at the NSW government’s lack of investment in music and the arts (Echo, March 18), she fails to ask the fundamental question regarding the cancellation of Bluesfest.
Mandy tells us $23m in ticket sales were received to date by Bluesfest for this year’s festival, but the liquidators inform us there is no cash to refund ticket holders.
So, where’s the $23m?
It seems festival organisers only got a measly $500,000 from taxpayers via Destination NSW this year, but were knocked back on a $3m grant from the NSW government in 2024, which Mandy suggests would have ensured the festival’s future.
How would $3m in 2024 save an organisation that seemed to have lost the $23m which was handed over by true music and festival fans, before they have to shell out for all that key infrastructure and associated costs required to run the festival, alluded to by Mandy? Again, where’s the moolah?
Sure, they employ staff to put together the event, and have marketing and other back office costs, but no way do they have a $23m annual payroll and cost base.
Maybe the $23m has gone to pay off historical debt, and not the costs associated with this year’s event.
If that’s the case, then the organisers knew they were in deep trouble before launching into this year’s ticket sales.
If they took cash from honest punters who will never recover their hard-earned in the knowledge that they might not make it to the finish line, then we can only hope that someone in authority makes them accountable.
On the face of it, the NSW government have done taxpayers a favour by not giving this enterprise more money.
Mandy says don’t point the finger at Bluesfest. I love Bluesfest and I’d love to love the Bluesfest organisers and heap shit on Macquarie Street.
But… where’s the dosh?
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
