Geoff Ellis, head of DF Concerts, has defended the final fling and criticised attempts to politicise the year of Homecoming.
He believes the negative publicity that some events have attracted is affecting his event, which includes acts such as The View, Teenage Fanclub, Midge Ure and Deacon Blue.
“We’ve suffered because there is a perception that Homecoming is a political vehicle,” said Mr Ellis. “It is a damaging perception. Every time people attack Homecoming, with our event being called Homecoming Live, people are being put off by the perception that it is a political event.
“This is not a political event, but some people seem to think it is going to be an SNP rally, which couldn’t be further from the truth. It can’t help sales with this feeling of negativity.”
Homecoming Live is due to be staged at Glasgow’s SECC on November 28. The indoor music festival will be spread over four areas. Older acts such as The Vaselines and Lloyd Cole will appear alongside newer Scottish artists such as Tommy Reilly and The Dykeenies.
It is one of the major events planned to conclude the £5 million Homecoming celebrations. In September, however, it was revealed that only 5% of the 16,000 tickets had been sold. Last month the Gathering, another signature Homecoming event, attracted criticism for recording a loss of more than £500,000.
Mr Ellis, who also organises T in the Park, said he had never expected the event to sell out instantly and that sales have been steady.
He also defended the Scottish Government’s motives behind Homecoming, which is designed to boost tourism and is timed to coincide with Robert Burns’ 250th birthday.
“People are criticising VisitScotland for doing something that it is meant to be doing: helping the Scottish tourist industry,” he said. “It is very unfair to criticise the government for backing an initiative that is meant to help the industry.”
Roddy Woomble, lead singer of Idlewild and part of the Homecoming Live bill, said that while Homecoming’s intentions might confuse some, people should shrug off any political ideas and enjoy the music.
“You can’t be that cynical,” he said. “There’s loads of good bands playing. Homecoming is just the banner it is under. I don’t think there’s any political element. It’s just a good excuse to see Teenage Fanclub.”
Opposition politicians, however, have disagreed with Mr Ellis’ comments.
Lewis MacDonald, Labour’s tourism spokesman, said: “I would be very surprised if concert-goers thought twice about the political ramifications of buying a ticket for the gig. It is going to be a very good event. It is just Geoff’s job to go out and sell it. ”
Mr MacDonald, a vocal critic of Homecoming, added that any accusations of making political gain from Homecoming should be directed at Alex Salmond.
“The criticisms that have been levelled at Alex are valid, like attempting to make political capital out of the Caledonia video. When events have promoted Scotland rather than the SNP it has been successful,” he said.
“But at the end of the day what makes people come and listen to music is the quality of the music, not because of the politics. Most people have disregarded the Alex Salmond factor and just got on with it. I hope Homecoming Live can do the same.”
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