Small bands have been left penniless and stranded in the wake of the Sweetwaters festival, while international stars left the country in disgust.
British drawcard Elvis Costello last night angrily accused the organisers of denying their financial woes.
Costello, who took the stage early yesterday despite threats that he would not perform, said he would pursue his full payment in court.
The organiser, Daniel Keighley, had failed to offer any credible excuses for payment delays, he said.
Costello told Holmes from Australia that he was making a stand for the many smaller bands and backstage crew who had been "stiffed" by the event managers.
"He [Mr Keighley] has got in too deep and not been professional."
The owner of central Auckland's Gravity Bar, Dave Fenton-Wells, said he would offer his venue to New Zealand bands to raise money.
Many were stranded in Auckland because they had not been paid, he said, and needed to play gigs tonight and tomorrow. Up to eight bands had shown interest in a fundraiser.
Mr Keighley could not be reached yesterday, but had earlier defended his reputation in the face of the money troubles. He told the New Zealand Herald he wanted to continue the event.
"I don't want to turn to you and say to you `I'm pristine' because I've been around for a long time and I've done things when managing bands that everybody does when managing that might be considered quite slimy ...
"But I've not done anything that's not been honourable in the sense that I have told people what's not going on."
He said he would be the big loser in the wake of the under-attended but well-received event
Ian James is packing up more than his hot, stuffed potatoes site today. The English entrepreneur is heading home after seven years in New Zealand and a $10,500 loss at the three-day festival.
He said he had hoped to make enough money to set his business on track. But unfulfilled contract terms and poor organisation had left him thousands of dollars down.
Sixteen stallholders met yesterday. Most reported losses but said they would return. Some said power and water were not connected until late Friday — or not at all.
Vilagrad wine cafe owners Peter and Nelda Nooyen said stallholders were disappointed by the numbers but were happy with the organisation and wanted a repeat.
A festival observer said many private security workers walked off the site in the morning but some came back. Builders and plumbers were also said to have left.
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