Festival-goers are to be offered refunds following the relocation of Electric Fields from Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries and Galloway to Glasgow.
Ticket holders looking forward to the event, which takes place between July 4 and 6, were left shocked by the announcement of the festival’s move, blamed on rising costs and logistical challenges.
The festival will now be held at SWG3 in Glasgow’s Finnieston area with the same line-up and food and drink offerings.
However, the camping element of the festival will not be offered at the inner city venue.
Many of those heading to the event will have to change their travel plans and find accommodation if they still wish to attend.
Only partial refunds were initially offered to customers, but organisers are now offering money back in full.
Brothers Alex and Nick Roberts, who run Electric Fields, tweeted from the festival’s account: “We’re sorry we got that totally wrong, and genuinely can only apologise.
“We have emailed all ticket holders with updated information on partial and full refunds. We’d be grateful if you could check your inboxes and reply accordingly.”
Electric Fields had been held at Drumlanrig for five years.
Announcing the move, organisers said: “We have had 5 amazing years producing the festival there and thank everyone at the castle for their immense support, as well as everyone involved in making those lasting memories in the fields.”
Scottish DJ Jim Gellatly told the BBC that the move away from Drumlanrig was “devastating news” for the area’s music scene.
“SWG3 is a fantastic facility but it’s not the same as going to a field by the magnificent Drumlanrig Castle and seeing live music in an outdoor festival environment,” he said.
“I feel sorry for the people of Dumfries. Hopefully they’ll get up to Glasgow for the festival but it does seem like it’s being ripped away from the local community but I’m sure they had no option but to move it.”
South of Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth said: “This is a deeply disappointing decision but one that people have feared may happen in recent months.
“This needs to act as a wake up call to Government and national agencies that if they want major festivals and events to take place outwith the central belt they need to provide proper support to meet the extra costs this incurs instead of simply pumping millions of pounds every year into festivals in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
“Festivals and events can’t just be about our big towns and cities, there needs to be a national strategy that focuses on supporting festivals in rural areas.”
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