A festival organised by Steps star Ian ‘H’ Watkins has been compelled to change its name by Coachella.
The Cowchella occasion had been set to go forward in August within the in Cowbridge within the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales.
Hosted by Watkins, actress Claire Sweeney and BBC Radio 2 radio presenter Owain Wyn Evans, Cowchella was billed as a ‘live music celebration for every generation’, with tributes to Taylor Swift, Kylie Minogue and Westlife, amongst many others.
But this week the organisers logged into their social media accounts and ‘everything was gone’.
They have been then alerted by their ticketing supplier – Eventbrite – that the US-based Coachella Music Festival had submitted a grievance.
‘Now let’s be clear – we completely perceive, and we’ve absolutely complied. The authentic name was a cheeky nod to Cowbridge. Honestly we’re a bit shook they even know who we have been!’ the Welsh occasion’s organisers posted on social media.
They then defined the occasion had been renamed Moo-La-La Festival and could be ‘the same line-up but with a fab new name’.
However, after shedding all of their earlier social media accounts, organisers requested individuals to assist unfold the phrase once more, including authentic tickets would nonetheless be legitimate.
Speaking concerning the motion taken by the large American music festival, Ian stated he was truly flattered.
‘I’m taking it as a large praise that they really feel like that our little festival is somewhat little bit of a menace to their ginormous, juggernaut of a machine,’ he stated.
‘It’s somewhat bit mind-blowing… what we’re doing may be very, very totally different to what they do.
‘We don’t have Beyonce performing. We have a Steps tribute act… and likewise, they don’t have myself, Claire Sweeney and Owain Wyn Evans, internet hosting, which in my ebook, is significantly better than Beyonce.’
Ian additionally stated he was comfortable the small Welsh festival is a ‘talking point’ and folks ‘love that Coachella has put Cowbridge on the map’.
He added: ‘Luckily it wasn’t like, the week earlier than as a result of that might be the catastrophe.’
However, he did say hundreds of kilos spent on advertising, posters and banners could be a ‘financial impact that we have to absorb’.
‘We’ve spent some huge cash on advertising and flyers and posters and banners which might be all seen across the city.
‘So yes, those will have to go in the bin… but let’s simply do this, moderately than have any extra individuals knocking on our door.’
Promoting his occasion, Ian stated it was designed to ‘make it accessible’ for households who can’t afford to attend music occasions in Cardiff or London.
Aside from the name change, the festival will probably be going forward as deliberate on Saturday, August 2 at Bear Field.
Born in Llwynypia, Mid Glamorgan, Wales, Ian joined Steps when it fashioned in 1997. The band went on to obtain two number-one albums within the UK, 14 consecutive UK top-5 singles and bought over 22 million data worldwide.
In 2023, Ian was elected as an Independent city councillor in Cowbridge and likewise based Cowbridge Pride.
Metro has contacted Coachella for remark.
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