A survey to gauge the economic and tourism benefits created by the Dundee Blues Bonanza could hold the key to its ability to bring international stars to the city in the future, a meeting in the city chambers has heard.
Lord Provost John Letford, who chaired Tuesday’s meeting, said he would approach the council’s city development department to organise a survey after the event committee said the festival’s international element would disappear unless new funding was obtained.
The Blues Bonanza is credited with bringing an estimated 12,000 people to the city centre over its summer weekend, with around 30 venues hosting more than 100 free gigs.
It is recognised as the biggest free blues festival in Europe and bands from across the UK and Europe travel thousands of miles just to play there, for meagre earnings.
Over the past few years its headliners have included Li’l Jimmy Reed, Mud Morganfield (Muddy Waters’ son) and Otis Grand. However its international headliners night, which traditionally kicks the event off on the Friday night, could be a thing of the past unless the committee can source funding of around £16,000 within two months.
The Saturday and Sunday events form the “street level” festival, organiser Bob Telford told the meeting of 15 key figures working in and around the event. That part of the festival works well, is self-financing and not under threat, he stressed, though fewer venues may be available due to the recession.
“However, the international event requires funding otherwise it won’t happen,” he said. “I have two questions for people here today: what does the Dundee Blues Bonanza mean for the city and how can we sustain its present format, to the level of last year’s best ever?
“The point is that the entire three-day festival is free. That’s what attracts so many people to the city, with the spin-offs for shops, restaurants and hotels.”
This year’s Dundee Blues Bonanza is scheduled to take place on July 1, 2 and 3.