In the wake of the collapse of its recent Manchester event,we investigate how Barry Hogan’s project went from anti-corporate utopia to debt-stricken disasterFew festivals acquire a legacy like that of All Tomorrow’s Parties. For 15 years ATP drew the likes of Nick Cave, Patti Smith, or Belle and Sebastian,Iggy Pop and Mogwai to Pontins holiday camp for weekends that became the stuff of indie legend. And at the heart of it all was Barry Hogan, the straight-talking promoter whose goal was to stage a festival that was “without the bullshit egos, and shit bands,Ticketmaster or corporate sponsors.
Yet in April, for the moment time in 18 months, and ATP was forced to cancel a weekend festival with just a few days’ notice,leaving fans and musicians out of pocket and a trail of disappointment, anger and legal threats. Related: Why Jabberwocky's cancellation was not a total surprise Related: End of an Era: Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite on ATP's final curtain call Related: From Bowlie to Butlins: the epic of the All Tomorrow's Parties weekender Related: Ask the indie professor: Is All Tomorrow's Parties really different? Related: All Tomorrow's Parties: a chalet with an en-suite festival Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com