VENUES in the Baltic Triangle showed they were fit for purpose when they re-homed the cancelled Africa Oye at the weekend – or at least a day of it.
The Picket led the way as the hub of the the 20th anniversary festival, and after organisers worked flat out to make sure the entire Saturday line-up got to play, while The Blade Factory at the Camp & Furnace accommodated stalls and DJ sets.
Paul Duhaney, the festival director, said, "It shows how we all pull
together in times of crisis in this city.
"There are some who find it difficult to accept that the festival in the park was cancelled but I reiterate that we had no other option.
Did turn around:
Brinsley FordeNaturally we were all devastated that the festival was cancelled for the first time in 20 years and we apologise to everyone who was
affected, but the health and safety of all attendees is paramount and
I would rather it not happen than somebody get seriously hurt or
injured."
The dramatic venue switch, at just a few hours notice, ensured many acts and traders, travelling from all over the UK and parts of Africa and South America, did not have a wasted journey.
However, the family element of the event was wiped out as only over 18s were allowed. And Sunday's hotly anticipated festival headliner, former Aswad star Brinsley Forde, on this occasion, did turn around.
