Pemberton Postponed

VICTORIA (CUP) – The Pemberton Festival, which debuted last summer, seemed destined for the same type of international fame as Glastonbury, Coachella, Summerfest, and North by Northeast.
But fans looking forward to Pemberton 2009 will have to wait at least another year.
Live Nation, the company behind the festival, has confirmed it will be focusing on summer 2010 for the next festival.
This year’s event has been cancelled because it took extra time for the B.C. Agricultural Land Commission to issue a permit, leaving too small a window to book high profile bands.
Live Nation spokesperson Liz Morentin had little to say about a last-ditch possibility of a Pemberton 2009.
“Let’s revisit [it] later in the year,” she said.
Following last year’s festival, the Land Commission ordered improvements be made at the venue. They involved transportation, water supply, and waste disposal.
Pemberton elevated the concept of a festival to great new heights. In July 2008, over 120 artists performed over four days across four stages for over 40,000 fans. Headlining acts included Coldplay, Jay-Z, Nine Inch Nails, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
“Everything was perfect,” said Jason Carter, a student at Camosun College in Victoria, B.C. “I’ve been to a few music festivals, including Ozzfest, and Pemberton was the best.”
Rolling Stone Magazine wrote: “The first annual Pemberton Festival will gladly take the title of the next Glastonbury.”
The Glastonbury Festival takes place in a small British town called Somerset, not very different from Pemberton, B.C., about 30 minutes past Whistler.
Many people who supported last year’s Pemberton festival wondered whether the event would return for a second year.
While there were some logistical problems, festival-goers didn’t seem to mind the inconveniences.
“It was disorganized, but everything worked,” said Camosun student Liam Wanless. “The people were good to each other. I didn’t see any violence.”
Although the festival was a huge success, there’s always room for improvement.
“I’d like to see more washrooms . . . [and] make the price of [alcohol] a little more reasonable,” said Camosun student Kevin Ogborne.
With more time to plan, Pemberton Festival should return in 2010 with even more force, blowing even more minds with its crowd numbers, musical acts, and, hopefully, washroom improvements.
“It’s a letdown, but . . . they are gearing it for 2010, so it’s something to look forward to,” said Carter.
After last summer’s solid headline of performers, the expectations are huge for 2010.
“I would love to see Red Hot Chili Peppers,” said. Carter.

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