NEW ZEALAND’S “RAGGAMUFFIN REGGAE FESTIVAL” FOR FEBRUARY 20, MAYBE IN JEOPARDY!

 A section of the audience attending a 2011 staging of Raggamuffin Music Festival.—

THERE has been no update on the status of the February 20 Raggamuffin Music Festival, which is in doubt with the legal troubles of its founder and main organiser Andrew McManus.

The event is scheduled for The Trust Arena in Auckland, New Zealand.

McManus, 54, was one of five people arrested in Australia and the United States on September 3 in a joint investigation by federal agents in the US and Australian police.

Promoter Andrew McManus in police custody

The probe began after the discovery of $702,000 cash was found in a suitcase at Sydney’s Hilton Hotel.

McManus has been charged with perverting the course of justice, attempting to defraud by false or misleading statements, and knowingly participating in a criminal group to assist crime.

No statement has been made on Raggamuffin, though spokespersons for the promoter’s One World Entertainment say its Australian tours in November, with rock bands Def Leppard and Live, will go ahead.

Eddy Grant

Guyanese singer/songwriter Eddy Grant, Sly and Robbie, Inner Circle, Maxi Priest and Junior Marvin’s Wailers are the reggae acts confirmed for Raggamuffin, which takes place at The Trust Arena.

Rhythm and Blues singer CeeLo Green and New Zealand pop group Three Houses Down, are also part of the line-up.

Inner Circle

McManus started Raggamuffin Festival in 2008 with shows in the major Australian cities of Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.

Due to waning crowds, it was last held in Australia four years ago and moved to New Zealand.

Some of the biggest names in reggae and hip hop have been featured on Raggamuffin, including Ziggy Marley, the Original Wailers, Sly and Robbie, Maxi Priest, Steel Pulse, Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill.