A DIY music festival in Newhaven was blasted as ‘gimmicky’ by influential pressure group, the Taxpayer’s Alliance today.

The comments came in response to news that the organisers behind last September’s Fort Process failed to get Arts Council grant to stage another event.

Set in an abandoned fort in Newhaven, the festival brought experimental music acts from around the world and was critically acclaimed. 

Andy, Sylvester, campaigns manager for the Taxpayer’s Alliance said:

“I think the government needs to be very wary of attempting to create frankly gimmicky events that allegedly will boost tourism or allegedly boost the local economy.  That’s not sustainable in the long term. We’ve seen too often huge amounts of money go on what look like individual vanity projects.”

The one-day event featured performances from Brighton’s experimental musicians including  Ingrid Plum, Bela Emerson and Duncan Harrison.

Promoters claim the sold out event drew hundreds to the deprived town and gave its cultural life a boost.

Andy Strachan from Brighton DIY promoter Lost Property who put on the festival said:

“Newhaven in relation to Brighton is somewhere people tend not to go and has been cut off culturally as a result.  A lot of people who went there were surprised how good it was to be there.  One of the artists came to play in the fort and moved to Newhaven as a direct consequence.”

Lost Property say the limited capacity of Newhaven Fort means that without a £25,000 grant, tickets for the one-day event would cost over £100 each. 

They plan to return to Newhaven with a follow up festival next September and are planning to apply to the Arts Council again. 

BNDIY will report on developments as they emerge:

Read our feature on Lost Property and Brighton’s experimental music scene.

Should the Arts Council fund events like Fort Process?  Take part in our poll and comment below.