Foreign bands yet to be paid at Iceland Airwaves
Increased costs and economic collapse delay payment
Biffy Clyro are among the bands that will have to wait for their Iceland airwaves payment
- Photographer:Shirlaine Forrest
15 October 2008
Bands' fees are usually paid in advance on their shows, but due to the economic collapse of Iceland's banks, artists
are set to receive payments in cash on the day of their performances.
Speaking about the unpaid fees event promoter
Thorsteinn Stephenson told BBC News: "We have a longstanding working relationship with most of the
agents. We've been doing this for 10 years now and I believe there's trust there, so the bands will get paid in cash
in Iceland if we don't manage to make the transfers.
"They will get paid on the day of the show in cash.
It's not a very usual situation, but that's the way it has to be."
The festival, which is held
in Reykjavik, will still go ahead as previously reported, but organisers confirmed that they will lose money
on the event.
"We're not making any money. The cost of artists has almost tripled," Mr Stephenson
said, "and on top of that all, airline tickets have gone up and all our costs have gone up, so we are going to have
to support this one with our own money."
If the country continues to struggle economically Mr Stephenson
admitted the festival looks unlikely to continue in its current form.
Crystal Castles, CSS,
Simian Mobile Disco and Vampire Weekend will all perform at the festival alongside a myriad
of Icelandic acts.
Check back for our Iceland Airwaves blog.
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