Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival 2012: A not-quite-so-free festival.

I have to admit I was excited. Robert Plant was performing at the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival in Clarksdale, MS. My little hometown of barely 19,000 people was hosting a genuine music legend. Sure, I was busy playing shows throughout the weekend, but I specifically tailored my gigs so I could get over to the stage and see the man who absolutely defined what a lead singer should be. I was giddy.

          On Friday I strolled to the stage to see a friend’s band perform. That’s when I saw it: the “VIP” section. A barren wasteland of white tables with black tablecloths and plastic chairs stretching over 100 feet from stage to street and covering the entire width of the stage - without a single person (besides security) to enjoy the bands. Prices for these tables ranged from $10,000 near the stage to $2,500 in the back. All the spectators who came to see what was advertised as a “free” festival were shoved to the far right, in front of the Delta Blues Museum.

          I almost cried. I knew they were setting up a larger VIP section than usual, but I just expected a bigger tent setup to the left side (which they had also done). The sight was heartbreaking.

          For two long days, bands were forced to play to empty tables and security guards.  Meanwhile, the festival faithful, the people who had been there since Friday to see every band perform, were forced to watch from the wings like peasants peeking over the fence of a rich man’s garden party. The usual dancing, cheering, and gawking from the front of the stage were gone. No one seemed excited to be there, least of all the musicians! They had become an afterthought. One musician (who played with several bands over the course of the festival) said that the audio engineers practically ignored any requests for monitor adjustments and there wasn’t even anyone to tell the bands when to start and stop playing. Robert Plant was in town and everyone else be damned.

          I’ve heard the myriad excuses for this massive new VIP section. “How else could we afford performers like Robert Plant?” and “We have to make money for this festival somewhere!” While I understand these concerns and sympathize with the need for funding I have to question the labeling of the festival as “free” when those who came for a “free festival” are forced to the side and treated like second-class citizens. The sound system was even directed entirely at the VIP section with the section in front of the museum only receiving dissipated and reflected sound. Vocals were difficult to understand even when performers were simply talking without any music to be heard over. Apparently it wasn't worth setting up a few extra speakers on the side for those who couldn't afford to pay $10,000 per table.  They just had to settle for the audio leftovers of the privileged.

          I’ve heard from those that say we need to look past this and look for ways to fix the problem for next year. Of course I agree that we must find a way to address this problem so that this type of situation doesn’t occur in the future but at the same time, someone must be held accountable for giving this festival the biggest black eye it’s probably ever received. On a weekend when Sunflower Blues and Gospel Festival and Clarksdale needed to make the best impression possible on a mostly new crowd, someone dropped the ball. The hope was that this would reignite this withering festival by drawing a record crowd to Clarksdale. I can only hope that there wasn’t more harm done than good but based on the backlash I’m hearing and seeing through friends, tourists, and social media I’m doubtful.

This display of callous disregard for performers and patrons who come to the Sunflower Festival year after year and support our city is simply deplorable. This attitude of socioeconomic elitist segregationism sends the message that our city doesn’t actually care about the American art form birthed in our region. It only cares about capitalizing on the name of a legendary performer – a performer who only comes to our town because of that art form in the first place. The blues was created by the poor and underprivileged. If Robert Johnson himself had been alive for this festival, he wouldn’t have been able to afford a good view. 


photos 1 and 4 © Sean Kaufman 2012
photos 2 and 3 © Phillip Carter 2012