WOWFEST: UB40 + MAXI PRIEST + THE WAILERS (CANCELLED)

Here's the official announcement about the cancellation:

"Following consultations and full consideration, it is with heavy hearts and much regret that we have been forced to announce the postponement of WOWfest 2012.

Putting the festival together, in what is proving to be a very challenging year and with damage inflicted by anti-festival lobbyists, was more difficult than we anticipated. We have spent the last year fighting hard to establish and keep WOWfest in the calendar. Unfortunately circumstances have dictated that this is no longer possible to achieve in 2012.

Although great confidence had initially been shown by the Isle of Wight Council to grant a Premises License for 18,000 rising to 22,000 capacity over a three year period and to further grant permission to run an event of that size under the Isle of Wight Act there are many forces trying to prevent the event happening. There is no doubt of the WOWfest team operational capabilities to deliver such an event.

However, the Isle of Wight Act conditions imposed by the council on the 18th May required a lump sum payment of over £140,000 for Council and Emergency Services to be brought forward to the 31st May. The conditions also stipulated the need for a financial bond of an unspecified and potentially unlimited amount to be made to the Isle of Wight Council.

WOW Festivals Ltd informed the Isle of Wight Council and responsible authorities, before the payment deadline for over £140,000 under the Isle of Wight Act fell due, that WOWfest would revert to run a downsized event – under the size (5,000) at which the Isle of Wight Act is invoked. However, the Isle of Wight Council rejected a minor variation application to voluntarily reduce the capacity and hours of operation on our Premises Licence and the Police decided to call for a full licence review, at the start of the Jubilee weekend. Undue and untimely pressure has resulted in one of the organisers suffering a stroke over the Jubilee weekend.

The planned event for 2012 will need to be postponed. Alternatives have been briefly assessed but time is against us and therefore the only sensible decision is to cancel WOWfest 2012 on the Isle of Wight and look to the future in 2013.

Ticket holders for WOWfest 2012 will be refunded.

Whilst we will be in touch with them all separately, in addition to this announcement, we want to openly express our deepest regrets to the artists and to thank all the people, suppliers and contractors who worked so hard with us to try and pull off what has proved to be a monumental task when there have been so many people determined to destablise the event with negative publicity and actions. We also want to send a huge thanks to the partners and people who stuck by us and we are so sorry that we can’t fulfill what we set out to do in 2012.

WOW Festivals Ltd"

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Imagine the scene…. thousands of music lovers gathering in a stunning expanse of 200 acres of partyland on the festival Isle of Wight, 5 main stages & an African Village of activity under the ancient St Martins Down ... for 3 days of diverse & heterogenous music, with pod pads, yurts, tipis, bell tents, festival camping & VIP tipis, in a place where culture meets harmony, all culminating in one triumphant global party… that is the ethos of WOWfest!

Our sunshine trail cycle route leads you to an eclectic mix of music, dance & entertainment from across the globe, whilst roaming performers regale you into a world comedic mystique over the festive weekend.

Each night, after hours when the live music has stopped, WOWfest 2012 transforms into a sensual site of party Club Nights, with massive names from the world of DJ, plus corners remeniscent of pre-war Berlin and turn of the century France encompassing the razzamatazz of satire, burlesque and cabaret. Wherever you are, the dance-floors will swirl into nostalgia and great dance movements with godfathers of the decks, after days soaked in massive names from the worlds of Reggae & Ska, 70s & 80s originals, Soul, Jazz, African traditions, House, Dub, Psychedilia and good times beats, all combining to bring you WOWfest - the brightest and biggest new festival of the year - THE Global Party.