Byron's events plans protest
AMERICAN political roots-rocker and regular performer at Bluesfest, Michael Franti, has spoken out against a Byron Shire Council plan to only allow two major music events in the shire each year.
In a video posted to YouTube, Mr Franti has called on his fans to protest the council proposal.
He asked them to help "keep the music alive" by signing a petition against the plan.
"If you would like to see the music stay alive in Byron please go to the web site bluesfest.com.au and sign the petition there," he said.
"Let councillors in the Byron shire know how important it is that we keep the music alive not just for our generation but for generations to come."
The council's proposal to amend its local environmental plan to include the restriction is open for public comment until tomorrow.
The move has already cast a shadow over a "first nations" Indigenous music festival planned for the Bluesfest site at Tyagarah.
To have been called the Boomerang Festival, the event was to be held at Tyagarah in October 2013.
Boomerang Festival organiser Rhoda Roberts said she understood that Byron Shire council had some major tourism issues they had to face, but said an alternative site for the festival was being considered.
