A STRONG push to stage a second Day on the Green concert this year in Armidale was abandoned
yesterday.
Following the highly successful inaugural concert in March, in which 6500 fans attended, Petersons Winery owner Colin Peterson was keen to host a second event in 2012, just before Christmas.
However, Day on the Green promoter Michael Newton yesterday ruled it out, saying all efforts were focused on securing a top-shelf rock line-up for the 2013 Armidale concert, expected to be in March.
Mr Newton did say, however, that a future two-concert Day on the Green run to Armidale each year was on the cards.
“We had a fantastic and really successful day in Armidale a few months ago, and we’re definitely coming back for another concert early next year; that’s 100 per cent confirmed,” Mr Newton told The Express. “The line-up worked really well and so it will be something similar with those great classic Aussie bands.
“We are starting to plan the artists now and we’re confident we’ll have another terrific show in 2013.
“Nothing is 100 per cent confirmed yet so there’s no firm details I can give you. We won’t be announcing it until later in the year but we’re really looking forward to being in Armidale again.”
Mr Peterson said he could understand the reasons for Mr Newton ruling out a second big concert for Armidale this year.
“Like Michael, I don’t want to do it half-baked,” Mr Peterson told The Express. “I know it’s hard to secure a really good line-up for these concerts at short notice, so I completely agree with him on it.”
Another option Mr Peterson may pursue next year, if indeed Mr Newton declines the opportunity for a second Armidale concert, is hosting a jazz in the vines event.
“I really think a jazz concert, with a good line-up of performers, would work well at our winery,” he said.
“People in Armidale are crying out for quality things to do, and I am sure an outdoors jazz concert in summer would be well attended.”
Mr Newton this week announced the Day on the Green summer-season concerts.
The headline act will be Simple Minds. They will be supported by Devo, The Church and The Models.
The tour includes shows in the Hunter Valley and Mount Cotton, near the Gold Coast, in December.
This is A Day on the Green’s 12th year and another 35 events are planned around Australia and New Zealand from late October to March, when it is expected to hit Armidale.