Babyshambles clubbed from Iceland

Iceland | | 07 October 2005

The organiser of Iceland Airwaves has spoken exclusively to Virtual Festivals about his reasons for dropping Babyshambles from next month's festival in Reykjavik.

In the first sign that festival promoters are growing tired with the consistent unpredictability of Pete Doherty and his merry band, festival boss Thornsteinn Stephensen has made the bold decision to drop Babyshambles from his lineup.

Iceland Airwaves 2005 takes place from 19-23 October at several venues across Reykjavik.

Following from Babyshambles' cancellation, it will now be left to The Zutons, Zoot Woman, and The Mitchell Brothers to head up the UK involvement in the festival.

A statement on the Iceland Airwaves website says that Babyshambles had been dropped due to the 'current situation' but Thornsteinn expanded on just what he meant when contacted by Virtual Festivals.

He said: "Our reason is that we had not been receiving any response from Babyshambles regarding their flights and accommodation. They are just impossible to reach.

"Also, the fact that they keep getting arrested and failing to turn up to half their gigs has put us in a very difficult situation. We are quite a small festival and could not afford to have an empty main stage at midnight. We just couldn't take the risk.

"But it's not a problem now. We have rescheduled the bands and the lineup is now complete. We're looking forward to another great Iceland Airwaves."

Babyshambles have had a chequered summer of festivals, trashing instruments, pulling no shows, collapsing on stages, and head-butting a band rival in between the occasional triumphant set. The band are currently on a UK tour with an album due next month.

Click here for more on Iceland Airwaves 2005.