The Big Chill ‘Couldn’t Risk Going Ahead’ Admits Festival Republic

Back in January, news hit that The Big Chill 2012 was cancelled ‘so it didn’t clash with the Olympics.’

However, it seems as though that may not have been the entire reason, after new comments from Festival Republic’s Melvin Benn have emerged regarding the creative direction of the event.

Speaking to BBC Newsbeat (via Complete Music Update), Benn made the following comments, eluding to the fact that he was unsure of what direction the event should go in creatively and musically which also influenced his decision in its cancellation.

‘I’m sure something will return that will have a completely fresh take on what a festival should be. The Big Chill [cancellation this year] was [due to] a clash with the Olympics [in part]. But more importantly with The Big Chill, it was me not being absolutely certain where I wanted to take the festival and what I was doing with the festival”.

“I’m actually going down there next week to the very same site to have a look. I’ll go with a couple of people that I hope will be working with me on – not The Big Chill, it won’t necessarily be The Big Chill – but a replacement or something to be born out of that”.

So, guess we’ll just have to wait and see!

Last year’s festival was headlined by Kanye West, Rodrigo y Gabriela and The Chemical Brothers. Zola Jesus, James Blake, She Keeps Bees, Wild Beasts and Metronomy also played.