Chugg and Potts forced to cancel Big Sky Blues & Roots Festival

Heavyweight promoters Michael Chugg and Rob Potts have been forced to cancel the 2015 Big Sky Blues & Roots Festival, having said it’s not financially viable without multiple headline artists.

“Following several of the headline artists that were due to be touring next April cancelling their plans, we have made the decision not to proceed with the festival in 2015,” said Chugg in a statement. “We'd love to put the show on with the great artists we have already secured, but it's just not financially viable without the super line-up that we had always planned for."

Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge had partnered for the Easter long weekend event, which was set to feature Michael Franti & Spearhead, Zac Brown Band, and George Clinton with Parliament Funkadelic. The festival, formerly Deni Blues & Roots Festival, was to be held over two days and two stages in Deniliquin in southern NSW from Saturday, April 4, to Sunday, April 5.

“Decisions like this are really tough to make, we have spent a long time considering all of our options,” continued Chugg. “We always try to consider our ticket buyers and their experience and felt we wouldn't be able to deliver them the best possible event in 2015.”

Chugg has promised ticket-holders a full refund at point of purchase and assures fans the festival “will come back bigger, better and louder in 2016”.

At its inaugural staging last year, the festival hosted acts including Santana, Chris Isaak, Bonnie Rait and Status Quo.

Pictured: Zac Brown Band