Big hitters in the Manchester music scene are already in secret talks to establish the inaugural music festival next summer and are confident that the event could become a regular feature on the calendar to rival the Carling Festival in Reading and Leeds, the V Festival in Stafford and Chelmsford, and T In The Park in Scotland.
Although discussions are still at a very early stage, my spies tell me that a think-tank of locally-based music industry movers and shakers are formulating plans for an open-air event and are looking at a range of sites, including Heaton Park, as the potential venue for a two-day music bash.
One of those involved in the early talks is Happy Mondays manager Elliot Rashman. Elliot has just joined the staff of Manchester's award-winning School of Sound Recording and it is expected that SSR's base on Downing Street, between the city centre and Ardwick, could become the organisational hub for the ambitious plan.
He tells me: "It would be great for this city to have a first class annual open air music festival. Manchester has contributed more than most to the UK music scene over the years. We should aim for a great festival as an integral part of the city's summer calendar.
"There are policing and licensing issues, which would have to be overcome, but I'm fully behind the idea."
Insiders say that they have already had agreements in principle from some of Manchester's biggest rock and pop acts to appear at the festival - which is yet to be given a name - should the plans get through the inevitable red tape and be given the go-ahead.
Organisers are hoping an established top flight music promoter will soon be on board too - possibly someone like Manchester's own Simon Moran, who runs the internationally successful SJM promotions.
If they get the official green light, bands such as Elbow, Ting Tings, Doves and the Happy Mondays are expected to be on the bill alongside the most popular international and chart-topping rock and pop acts from around the world.
Wendy Breakall, from SSR, says: "Manchester is regarded as the heart of the UK music industry. It's about time this city had its own established music festival to match that reputation and to rival all the other established festivals across the UK. I am certain, given the right conditions, this event would attract interest from music fans across the UK."
Noises from Manchester council are also encouraging at this early stage in the event planning.
City centre spokesman Pat Karney tells me: "Anything that helps put Manchester on the world map has got to be good. We are always interested in talking about bright new ideas to do just that. If the organisers want to come into the town hall and talk turkey with us - we're more than willing to get involved in formal discussions."
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After the dismal failure of the "Tony Wilson Experience", isn't it time the old men of Madchester allow some youngsters to break into the business and make headlines for themselves? I am very pleased that Elliot has found gainful employment at a commercial training facility. Just when did he complete his teacher training? In terms of management, the management of the Happy Mondays was hardly a role model of fiscal efficiency that young bands would want to emulate. So what is he going to teach them?
As for the festival, no doubt the usual suspects will be trotted out, city council will give them a grant, and everyone will pat themselves on the back as Manchester's reputation as a capital of music plummets again.
This is lazy journalism, why don't you find out what the young musicians coming out of the colleges are doing this summer? Do a feature on a non famous, under 25 year, old trying to break into the music industry, find out what is the next big thing instead of harking back to the eighties all the time. Stop talking about Rock and Pop Music Education and Music Technology Education as though it is something "wacky" and new. There are respected courses in rock and popular music and music technology which include session musician training, which are recognised by QCA and get students the equivalents of GCSEs and A levels allowing students progression to university or the music industry. Along the way they are taught about the music business and given useful skills to support their vocational studies. These courses have been around for 10 years or more. They are available at nearly all FE colleges.
FE colleges are public sector and so cannot afford the publicity machines of the private sector. You just pick up the easy option of the press release instead of doing some proper investigation to find out "news" rather than "olds".
In principle this sounds like a good idea but competition is fierce over the summer with people paying 150+ to attend already established festivals with proven infrastructures and an international reputation. What you have to consider is will people pay more on top of what is already an over priced market (festivals)when they can travel an hour to any one of Creamfield, Leeds festival and Liverpool Summer Pops. In addition if people pay around 100 to go to this festival then there is a danger of taking money out of the local music enonomy as there will still be tickets to sell for Apollo, Academy and the Arena gigs. The touring environment within the UK is already stalling within summer as the market is already solid with festivals with headliners recieving 6 figure sums for a 90 minute set, is there really enough room within the market for another large UK festival? More importantly if its not done right initially and runs a loss then it wont happen again. Commericially artists will need to be sought who can attract the revenue to make this work, if this isn't done then it wont work.
Last thought... most UK festivals are attractive as they take you out of cities (T in the park, Glastonbury)and into a unique environment with a solid infrastructure, can this be achieved in a relatively urban setting? Id have a look at the number of festivals that have had to cancel this summer before thinking that another large one is needed. My tip would be to make sure the big screens work and there are enough toilets, if we look at the councils last organisation when it asked people to visit manchester then id not bother and buy Mogwai tickets for the Academy in September.
P:S it will only work if you create a niche that nobody else has tapped yet!