Jonathan Irving said since the X Factor Meets Britain's Got Talent and Here and Now 80s shows were announced on Wednesday, he had received many encouraging comments.

Tickets go on general sale today (Tuesday) for the shows, which take place on Sunday, June 20. The X Factor meets Britain's Got Talent show will take place in the afternoon and the 80s show in the evening.

Not everyone has been happy with the acts announced so far – there have been many posts by readers of Isle of Man Newspapers' www.iomtoday.co.im website criticising the choices.

>> Rick Astley, Boy George and X-Factor stars set for festival
28 October 2009

However, Mr Irving said: 'We have been overwhelmed with the level of feedback received. It is quite clear that the announcement of the X Factor Meets Britain's Got Talent has a struck a massive chord with the intended audience of families on the Island as Christmas and Fathers' Day presents.

'But in context that's hardly surprising as these shows attract weekly audiences in excess of 15 million so we are very fortunate to have secured very contemporary artists such as Signature, Leon Jackson (the winner of the X Factor in 2007) and yes Stavros Flatley!

'In fact Diversity will be performing the routine they had rehearsed for the Michael Jackson O2 show.

'They are presently making a 3-D film called StreetDance with George Sampson, who is also appearing at the festival. The film is due to be released at the same time as the festival. Britain's Got Talent attracted 19.1 million viewers to see Diversity beat Susan Boyle.'

He added: 'The very best of the 80s in the Here and Now Last Night in the Park Stonking 80s Party has also received great enthusiastic support for the fact it has seven original 80s artists or bands and that it is also just one huge party with wall to wall hits.

'People are recognising the gravitas of these artists, Rick Astley for example received the Best Act Ever nomination at the MTV Europe Music Awards and won, his award being collected by Paris Hilton. He has also outsold Simply Red 2:1. Boy George has worked most recently with Kylie Minogue and is just about to release a new single and album. The event also includes Belinda Carlisle, Kim Wilde etc.

'What a party this will be for revellers of every age with all the glitter cannons, ice fountains, stage effects, lights and lasers etc!".

The Isle of Man Bay Festival runs from June 18 to 20 at Noble's Park, Douglas, with the Friday and Saturday night's entertainment yet to be announced.

Boyzone had been booked to play on the Friday, however following the recent death of band member Stephen Gately it is not known at the time of going to press whether they would go ahead with the performance or will be replaced.

Mr Irving added: 'We are encouraged by comments like "wow, what a series of shows", "it's fantastic you are catering for people of all ages", "at last something for families to enjoy together".'

Mr Irving added: 'Over the next couple of weeks we will be announcing the Friday "pop" night and Saturday "indie/rock" night line-ups. Please watch this space. We always promised to deliver three different genres and we will do. However, I would encourage people to buy early as it is clear these tickets won't be around for long based on the interest so far.'

Those who are pre-registered with the festival could buy tickets yesterday (Monday). They are on general sale today at 8am, ring 600600 or visit www.bayfestival.im

There will be 7,000 tickets for each show – 3,000 fewer than at the Peel Bay Festival in 2007.

>> Vote on this issue at iomtoday.co.im/poll

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Send your comments to newsviews@newsiom.co.im

YOUR COMMENTS

I think it's a bit of a con that the organisers are urging us to register and buy tickets now, even though the line up for 2 of the 3 nights has not been released or even finalised by the sound of it. Most other music festivals get their line ups finalised well before tickets go on sale. Makes you wonder who the organisers have got lined up for the other 2 nights – and that maybe ticket sales would not be great if this information was released beforehand. Cynical I know, but why else not reveal who's playing before the tickets go on sale??
TIMK

I would be gutted if my kids bought me tickets for that shower.
CATTY

I have had numerous emails saying I have a priority booking time from 8am this morning but it is absolutely worthless if Mr Irving is not telling us who is going to be on until the "next couple of weeks". Absolute shambles.
SO

I'm one of those people who are really quite excited about the concept of the IOM Bay Festival. Today I have bought four tickets for the 3 shows. As if that wasn't enough money they then charged me an extra £8.50 PER TICKET BOOKING FEE! Now, I can understand a one off booking fee for one transaction but to be charging a booking fee for every single ticket you buy is just plain cheeky!
LEANNE

Where has Mr Irving been reading these comments? In an imaginary world?!For months this man has given us promises of 'A-List Artists' and led us to believe that this would be something the Island has never seen before. The Here & Now concerts have already been done (at the Bowl a few years ago. 'People are recognising the gravitas of these artists, Rick Astley for example received the Best Act Ever nomination at the MTV Europe Music Awards and won, his award being collected by Paris Hilton'. The reason being is that this was an online stunt by people who thought it would be hilarious to add as many votes as possible. After their success, Rick himself said he was deeply embarrassed and as he didn't deserve the award, he boycotted the event. Leon Jackson (the winner of the X Factor in 2007) Winner in 2007 who has subsequently been dropped by his label & unable to pick up a new deal. What will he be singing? 5 minutes of his only hit single? 'Over the next couple of weeks we will be announcing the Friday "pop" night and Saturday "indie/rock" night line-ups. Please watch this space. We always promised to deliver three different genres and we will do. However, I would encourage people to buy early as it is clear these tickets won't be around for long based on the interest so far.' I dread to think who you've got lined up for us. If their calibre is based on your recent announcements, we're probably going to look forward to evenings in the company of Whigfield & The Alarm! I fully support anyone trying to bring big entertainment to the Island but at least market it honestly. They hype you have been churning out since June has failed to deliver.
CHEATED, Douglas

For goodness sake CATTY, there is just no pleasing some people is there?!?!?! I for one will be buying a ticket – certainly beats the old farts that they usually get over year after year. Something for the young ones at last :O)
AN AVID BGT/X FACTOR FAN

Lowest common denominator rubbish. After all the hype we expected something better than this. Hopefully this lot isn't the best there is and we have the current 'A' list starts we were led to believe were coming. Nobody is going to come over the Irish sea to watch this – I'm so glad the iom govt. hasn't underwritten this, especially money will be so tight next year. I'll take it all back when 'the killers', 'foo fighters' etc. are announced of course – next 2 weeks will be interesting.
M.M.

This only goes to prove one thing. These people are just so out of touch with what the Island wants its unbelievable. I bet he is wanting people to register and pushing the 'don't be disappointed' line because of the complete lack of interest. Its such a shame that something that could have been so good, has become yet another ridiculed event on the Island. Feel so sorry for them.
DUCK

Oh for heaven's sake - people are always whinging and moaning because there's nothing. Now they are whinging and moaning because someone arranges an event. Event organisers just can't win, can they!!! If you don't want to go then fine - don't! But it would appear that lots of people do. Catty - if you don't want to go then fine - don't! There are lots of people who do want to go - but in Catty's eyes I guess that makes us sad, then, doesn't it? Catty - if you think you can do any better then why aren't you!
KEN W

I'd like to report a typo with your story. You have written 'overwhelmed' instead of 'underwhelmed'. This could cause confusion amongst your readers.
L

Jonathan, you should go and work for the Government if you are happy with the line up so far. If that is your "all star" lineup for Saturday, heaven help us. As Catty says, if anybody buys me a ticket for a present I would be gutted.
PEEJAY

80's shows are usually sell outs in the UK! We are lucky that the organisers have had the foresight to arrange this for the festival. I bet they come back with a fantastic line up for the Friday and Saturday night. TO ALL YOU NEGATIVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMENTED HERE, IF YOU CAN DO BETTER YOURSELF THEN GET ON AND DO IT!
TK

When they acts were announced I read the comments on this website , I'd say 95% of the people thought the acts were rubbish , obviously Mr Irving doesn't check this site I will wait till the 2 other nights are announced before I cast judgement
SCOTTYDOGG

The extra charges on top of the expensive ticket prices are ridiculous, how can these be justified? I understand a small charge to cover banking fees but a charge per ticket and then an extra charge for delivery - this is mad!
V

Manx Crab anyone???
PQ

Tut,tut,tut,what a let down.It sounds like the line up from Weekend at Butlins.The festival was always going to attract has beens and wana bees.The Isle of white festival is what they should be aimmin for, not a line up from a holiday camp.
LIAOMA

I personally thing this line up is terrible considering all the pre event hype but can I say that even if they bring over the best band in the world the first quarter of the venues seats on each day is reserved for "Hi Rollers" and "VIP's" so unless you are willing to spend £350 a ticket or £195 a ticket to see Rick Astley close up you will be right at the back, pointless?? Also, which venues do you know that put standing behind the seats?? Very strange?? The term "Hi Rollers is terrible, basically Mr Irving is stating those upper class people will get the best seats because they have the cash, do you not realise there is a recession going on and a pretty poor economy, I love the way it states, tickets from just £19.50 but what it doesn't tell you is you will have to stand at the back in the toilets for that price!
ANON

Well I would say that judging by the success of the ticket sales the few negative comments on here don't mean much do they!
TK

I can't believe people are moaning about this!! They moan when nothing happens then someone tries to make something happen and they moan….WHAT DO YOU WANT?? The Promoter of the festival is trying his hardest and I personally think he has done a fantastic job so far, X factor meets Britain 's got talent is excellent, I'm not sure about the Sunday night line up but it's not my era so I wont be buying tickets but I'm sure others will. The event so far is well organised from the advertising, indie night, pop night, family show and 80's night and purchasing tickets has been easy (not like buying them from Villa etc). I also think the price of the tickets is fair compared to UK ticket prices and all tickets have a booking fee so stop moaning about it. I travel off island to concerts, so this is a cheap festival in my eyes, I just think manx people want something for nothing, as the saying goes to all the manx moaners……. if you don't like it………there's a boat in the morning!!
SCOTTISH GIRL

The comments on this website doesn't really make you very proud to live on the Isle of Man, does it? Someone from the island steps into the limelight and tries to do something positive for the island, promote its name, bring a leading event to the Isle of Man, and rather than getting behind it, there is nothing but a torrent of whinging, moaning and misery from people, most of whom doubtless do nothing to add to the community. Mr. Irving is taking a risk with his own money. If you don't like the acts he's bringing over, don't go – there's no way he's going to please everyone, and I'm sure he's quite aware of that. I like his Sunday evening line-up. I don't like the afternoon line-up, but others will and I hope he sells it out, and his contribution to the Isle of Man pays off for him personally. To the whingers – lighten up, stop trying to find fault in everything, and make some sort of attempt to enjoy what you enjoy, and let everyone else get on with it.
JR

CATTY - do you EVER have anything positive or at least a little bit nice to say, you are sooooo bitter and negative about absolutely everything. Why do you even read these threads, just stay in and moan to yourself all day and don't make us suffer your incessant whinging
GCH

Obviously CATTY by name and CATTY by nature !!! Just been on the website and notice that some areas for the X Factor/Britain's got Talent have already sold you - all you doubters, and I've just been talking to someone who has bought tickets for all day Sunday, she is a "child of the 80's" and can't wait and her little boy is really excited about seeing Stavros Flatley. It takes all sorts and one man's meat is another man's poison as they say.
N

Whoops, meant sold out not sold you !!!
N

Given the current financial climate, threat to jobs and pensions etc, I do hope that the government is not going to underwrite or give any money to this! Best Wishes
MARTYN MACKIE

Blimey, I seem to have upset a few people with my comments. So especially for GCH here is something positive. I think it's great that you are happy with this level of entertainment coming over. I personally would rather go and see someone local play in a pub than spend my hard earned on a load of hasbeens re-hashing their limited back catalogue. As for the BGT meets X factor thing, if I wanted to watch a bunch of vacuous wanabee celebs murdering naff pop standards then I would stay in and watch the current series of X Factor. There, that's nice and positive. Oh, and thanks for your feedback, you'll be delighted to know I've got a smile on my face now.
CATTY

So Jonathan Irving says ".... It is quite clear that the announcement of the X Factor Meets Britain's Got Talent has struck a massive chord" Surely he means Discord....
SAINTBAGS

What is with everyone on this daft little Island? If you don't like the acts then don't buy a ticket! If you want to go to a festival then save your money and go to Glasto or something. We live on an Island where nothing happens! We get a couple of bands over and we all act like wild rinos during mating season causing a stampede! If your that interested in seeing bands then go to the UK for a weekend. Will you? no of course you won't ! You'll just moan about the Island and winge about getting no decent acts over! Fair play to this guy for organising something with family in mind. kids will love this stuff, adults of the older generation will love the 80's stuff and I've heard there might be a good current band coming over to satify the groupies who have been crying on this site. I personally won't be going as it's not my cup of tea but I can see why people would enjoy this. You cannot please anybody.....espeacially on this rock of solitude!
Mr R ASTLEY

"TO ALL YOU NEGATIVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMENTED HERE, IF YOU CAN DO BETTER YOURSELF THEN GET ON AND DO IT!" In reply to TK. Give me Mr Irvings budget for booking the acts alone and I'll do better. Give me his budget for the whole festival and I'll book you 3 nights you wouldn't forget for the rest of your life and not one has been or TV star in sight.
MC

MC well there you go 'give me the money' Mr Irving puts up his own money, he lost a lot of money setting up the Peel Bay Festival and is gambling again, with his money not yours. Why don't you do your own festival next year MC and let us know your line up right now if you will?
TK