All Tomorrow's Parties festival thrown into confusion

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/mar/02/all-tomorrows-parties-festival-pontins-stewart-lee

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All Tomorrow’s Parties’s latest festival has been thrown into confusion after the venue said it had been cancelled, reports Billboard.

ATP’s 2.0 events are currently booked to take place at Pontins holiday camp in Prestatyn, north Wales, on 15-17 and 22-24 April. However, ATP said a “miscommunication” had occurred between them and Pontins. This year’s event is curated by the comedian Stewart Lee and the American band Drive Like Jehu.

Ticket holders noticed that the venue was still taking “family bookings” on the dates the festival is scheduled, and were reportedly told by Pontins: “ATP has been cancelled by the organiser.”

However, ATP have released a statement saying: “For clarity, and to reassure customers who have purchased tickets or travel for the upcoming festivals, these events will go ahead as scheduled: at Pontins Prestatyn, on 15th-17th April & 22nd-24th April.”

They added: “We would like to apologise for our silence today, and for not getting back to all of your questions individually. We have been working with Pontins Management to release a full statement confirming this within the next 24 hours.”

A booking agent for Pontins told Billboard that the holiday company were yet to receive payment from festival organisers but as far as they knew, the events had not been cancelled.

It’s a confusing scenario not just for fans but also for the curators, notes Billboard. Stewart Lee – who was also due to perform – told the Quietus he was struggling to find out what was happening, too: “At the moment, of course it’s terrifying for people. It’s not great for me either, to be honest. You know, I’ve got a babysitter, I’ve made plans, so in that respect I’m in the same boat as everyone else. I didn’t sleep last night, I thought I was gonna have a stroke or something.”

In recent years, All Tomorrow’s Parties have had difficulty putting on events. In 2012, ATP Concerts Limited was placed in voluntary liquidation. The same year, a dispute with Butlins holiday camp ended with a termination of their six-year relationship. Two years later, the company’s London-based Jabberwocky festival – scheduled to have appearances by Neutral Milk Hotel, Caribou and James Blake – was cancelled days before it was due to take place.