The boss of the Rewind Festival has insisted the popular event will return to Scone Palace next year, ending any speculation it might move to another venue.
David Heartfield, promoter of the 1980s music festival, told The Courier that any rumours it would not be coming back to Perthshire were “absolute rubbish.”
Last weekend’s Rewind saw around 35,000 revellers descend on Scone Palace and despite some atrocious weather, the event was widely praised for its atmosphere and standard of acts.
The bands that played at the weekend included Bananarama, Howard Jones, Belinda Carlisle, From The Jam, Hugh Cornwall, Nik Kershaw and Jimmy Sommerville.
Rewind has grown in stature and popularity since it first came to Scone Palace five years ago but some music fans had contacted The Courier this week to express concern that it might not return to the Perthshire site.
However, Mr Heartfield strenuously denied such talk and stressed the festival will come back next year.
“This is absolute rubbish and you should just ignore people talking like this,” he said.
“I’m not going to discuss the contract regarding Rewind being held at Scone Palace. There is an annual review, but it’s a case of we will return.
“I can’t believe some people are asking that when I’ve just returned home from this year’s festival up in Perthshire.”
And although he admitted being disappointed to learn of some alleged thefts from tents during the weekend festival, Mr Heartfield claims all measures are taken to try to prevent such occurrences.
“All music festivals suffer from thefts of some sort but we advise people not to bring valuables to the event and we do have security,” he added.
“We do everything we can to minimise thefts but I can think of other music festivals where there will be a much higher rate of these incidents.”
The festival boss was reacting to reports of a series of thefts from tents at this year’s event. A Glenrothes family alleged that they had more than £2,500 stolen, along with three mobile phones, from their tents last Friday.
And some revellers from the north-east of Scotland claimed they were also targeted, with £1,500 worth of goods taken from tents.
Councillor Ian Miller, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, commented: “It underlines the need for anyone attending such events to always be wary and take precautions in order to secure their personal effects.”
Police Scotland’s Tayside Division said no arrests were made at this year’s Rewind Festival. Two people were charged with breach of the peace offences but not arrested.