Belle and Sebastian among acts 'owed money' by Scottish music festival

The band is among artists and production staff who claim they are owed payment after performing at Doune the Rabbit Hole.

Belle and Sebastian among acts ‘owed money’ by Scottish music festival Doune the Rabbit Hole Getty Images

Belle and Sebastian are among the acts who claim they are owed payment from Scotland’s largest outdoor camping music festival.

The indie band, who headlined Doune the Rabbit Hole in July, have said they have been partially paid after performing at the Stirling festival – but are still owed a “significant” fee.

It comes after the company behind the music festival, who were accused of failing to pay artists, entered liquidation before being relaunched under the new management of Festival Beverage and Property Services Ltd.

The band’s agent has said that tickets should not be on sale for next year’s event until all artists have been paid in full.

A spokesperson said: “Belle and Sebastian have been partially paid – the event owes the band significantly more.

“The event should not have any tickets on sale for 2023 until 2022’s performers have been paid – which has not happened. We look forward to full payment.”

Rock artist Honeyblood also performed at the 2022 event, and said it is “alarming” that many performers are still owed payment after the festival relaunched under new management following it’s liquidation.

The singer has launched a GoFundMe in an effort to compensate artists and staff who have yet to be paid by the company.

She told STV News: “Doune The Rabbit Hole have said they will honour their payments to all artists and I have good faith they will do this.

“Artists deserve to be paid on time and in full like any other business for the work they do.

“I find it quite alarming, as it means the payments they owe will be paid with goodwill not from legal obligation.

“We also have no timescale as when that might be.

“I really hope they’re able to sort it out. It would be a shame to lose another music festival in Scotland.

“I am rooting for them.”

The performers are the latest to speak out about the festival, after Scottish Live Events Network said that “outstanding invoices” are owed to over a dozen production staff who worked at the Cardross Estate festival in both 2021 and 2022.

The union, who revealed that “tens of thousands” is owed to suppliers, have said they have continued to contact the festival but have yet to receive a response over outstanding payments.

You can contribute to the GoFundMe here.

Festival Beverage and Property Services Ltd have been contacted for comment.

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