AUCKLAND, NZ (CelebrityAccess) — Andrew McManus, the promoter behind New Zealand's long-running Raggamuffin Music Festival, has said that this year's event will be the finale for the fest.
The Reggae festival has been held since 2008, and has featured bills with international artists such as UB40, Maxi Priest, The Wailers, Arrested Development, Miss Lauryn Hill, Billy Ocean, Damian, Stephen and Ziggy Marley, Eddy Grant, Jimmy Cliff, Mary J Blige and Ali Campbell over the years.
In announcing the end of the festival, McManus said: “Along with Ali and the other original members of UB40 we all thought it would be a great idea to start a purpose-built reggae festival and the result was the birth of Raggamuffin. The culture and peaceful vibes of the Kiwi people ensured New Zealand was the obvious place to start and home Raggamuffin.”
The final edition of the fest, Raggamuffin X, will take place on Feb 18 at the Trusts Arena in Auckland.
McManus is facing sentencing in March after pleading guilty last year to charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice. The offense carries a maximum sentence of up to 14 years in prison.
Other charges against McManus, including dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage and participating in a criminal group, were withdrawn. – Staff Writers
