Editorial: Roadtrip timing terrible

It's all very well for organisers to slam Rotorua for not supporting a concert but there is surely an onus on them to time events to ensure the biggest possible crowd.

Despite being the home of the popular annual Raggamuffin reggae festival, Rotorua won't be considered again for the Raggamuffin Roadtrip which came to the city on Monday night. Only about 600 people went, not enough to make it viable, organisers say.

One wonders if Rotorua has been given a fair chance. The Monday night of Queen's Birthday Weekend doesn't seem the wisest choice for a show - Monday being the day many people travel home (both locals and visitors) after going away for the long weekend and with school and work to attend the following morning.

Unless you're Lady Gaga, that is a night you may struggle to fill a venue in any provincial city.

Apparently venues in Auckland, Christchurch, Porirua and Hastings were packed but these are all either much bigger centres or have wider, close-by populations to draw on.

Organisers conceded that "in hindsight" Monday night may not have been the best choice but went on to say what a shame it was that Rotorua didn't support the show.

It shouldn't have been a surprise. The Raggamuffin festival isn't patronised by locals alone; many thousands come to Rotorua for it from all over the country. They plan it every year and quite possibly can't make, or afford, an extra trip for the roadtrip.

A better bet for Monday night would have been a bigger centre like Auckland which, purely because of its population, can sustain a show no matter what night of the week it is.

What do you think?

Email editor@dailypost.co.nz, text DP then your message to 021 241 4568, or write to Editor, PO Box 1442, Rotorua.