THE embattled Whittlesea Country Music Festival may be singing a different tune as organisers struggle to make it turn a profit.
The event has suffered four tough years and might be forced to “streamline”, according to festival vice-president David Watson.
The organising committee meets tomorrow to consider cutting back the event.
Mr Watson said once a new format was decided, the committee would put it to the Whittlesea council, which provides $70,000 in sponsorship.
“We need the main sponsorship from council to run the festival, and can’t move until then,” he said.
Mr Watson said every element of the festival was being examined, including dropping “country” from its title after research showed only 5 per cent of the local audience was interested in country music.
He said “something is wrong” with the festival and it had to change to make money, but he declined to detail any losses.
The Victorian and National Country Music Awards, which are presented during the festival, were being reviewed. “Why don’t they get the kudos of Tamworth [Country Music Awards]?” he asked.
The event, held in February for 13 years, was hit by the 2009 Black Saturday blaze when people were evacuated to the Whittlesea Showgrounds where it was being held.
The following three years the festival suffered poor attendances because of flooding or torrential rain, including a downpour during the 2012 headline act, Adam Brand.
“We’ve struggled for the last four years, ” Mr Watson said, adding that although the number of sponsors had remained consistent, the amounts they contributed had dropped over the years. He said the festival was important to bring Whittlesea residents together.
