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admin · 07-05-2008, 04:47 PM

Organiser Warren Holt said Guernsey Live has been a really, really great event. The people have worked really really hard behind the scenes and the public they kind of trickled in on the Saturday but then today (Sunday) we sold a thousand tickets on the strength of the Saturday I think. So it just really increased the vibe and everything, really different today.

"People had good fun yesterday, today it felt like a real festival, the crowd dynamics, everything changed. The pace picked up, people were striding to get over to the LibJam Big Air show, and then into the dance tent, and then back to the main stage, they wanted to be everywhere at once so I thought that was really great."

The local bands that kicked off proceedings on both days were followed by other major UK acts - whilst those feeling more energetic headed to the dance tent. But when the music stopped, the action didn't. After its launch at Liberation Day last year, the extreme sports event LibJam made its second appearance at Guernsey Live. The BMX and mountain bike Big Air event took place on Saturday and Sunday, giving local enthusiasts a rare chance to ride the ramps.

Organiser Jon Bisson said: "It's about doing two things - giving a demonstration from some professional riders to inspire the local guys and also giving the local guys a chance to ride next to the professionals. So we've been really lucky this year, a good turn out of locals and a good turn out of professionals."

With a licence to admit 7500 people to the event each day, organisers never expected a sell out in their first year. About two and a half thousand people bought tickets for Saturday, while 3500 turned up for Sunday. Whilst the numbers were a disappointment for those financing the festival, for Guernsey Police it meant a quieter weekend than that they'd planned for. With very little trouble, they said the event went exceptionally well. But they made a number of arrests on suspicion of possessing or dealing in controlled drugs and their sniffer dog welcomed many festival goers. An alcohol free zone around the site was put in place to help residents.

The on site camping mainly proved a success. Excess noise on Friday night meant ten people were evicted for anti-social behaviour on the Saturday morning, leaving the other campers to have a quieter second night.

This year's event cost its organisers a lot of money - something they're hoping will be an investment rather than a loss. They say a repeat will depend on whether they can get appropriate underwriting from the Island's government. So no plans for 2009 just yet.

07-05-2008, 04:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
admin Mr Admin Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Channel Islands, Jersey Posts: 411 vCash: 1100 Blog Entries: 1	Organiser Warren Holt said Guernsey Live has been a really, really great event. The people have worked really really hard behind the scenes and the public they kind of trickled in on the Saturday but then today (Sunday) we sold a thousand tickets on the strength of the Saturday I think. So it just really increased the vibe and everything, really different today. "People had good fun yesterday, today it felt like a real festival, the crowd dynamics, everything changed. The pace picked up, people were striding to get over to the LibJam Big Air show, and then into the dance tent, and then back to the main stage, they wanted to be everywhere at once so I thought that was really great." The local bands that kicked off proceedings on both days were followed by other major UK acts - whilst those feeling more energetic headed to the dance tent. But when the music stopped, the action didn't. After its launch at Liberation Day last year, the extreme sports event LibJam made its second appearance at Guernsey Live. The BMX and mountain bike Big Air event took place on Saturday and Sunday, giving local enthusiasts a rare chance to ride the ramps. Organiser Jon Bisson said: "It's about doing two things - giving a demonstration from some professional riders to inspire the local guys and also giving the local guys a chance to ride next to the professionals. So we've been really lucky this year, a good turn out of locals and a good turn out of professionals." With a licence to admit 7500 people to the event each day, organisers never expected a sell out in their first year. About two and a half thousand people bought tickets for Saturday, while 3500 turned up for Sunday. Whilst the numbers were a disappointment for those financing the festival, for Guernsey Police it meant a quieter weekend than that they'd planned for. With very little trouble, they said the event went exceptionally well. But they made a number of arrests on suspicion of possessing or dealing in controlled drugs and their sniffer dog welcomed many festival goers. An alcohol free zone around the site was put in place to help residents. The on site camping mainly proved a success. Excess noise on Friday night meant ten people were evicted for anti-social behaviour on the Saturday morning, leaving the other campers to have a quieter second night. This year's event cost its organisers a lot of money - something they're hoping will be an investment rather than a loss. They say a repeat will depend on whether they can get appropriate underwriting from the Island's government. So no plans for 2009 just yet.