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Critics have leveled some heavy charges against Ozzfest after yesterday's announcement of a free Ozzfest this summer. The problems began when founder Ozzy Osbourne described the festivals previous financial problems as due to "artists demanding more and more money for summer tours" and the ensuring rumour that the event actually charged new acts in the vicinity of $75,000 for a slot on the tour in previous years.
Established music publication CMJ argues that the event will force artists to depend entirely on already venue-taxed merch sales to cover their costs:
In fact, whereas Ozzfest allegedly required an investment from these up-and-coming acts, they now simply require that the bands agree to play for merch money.
Furthermore, while the festival now allows band's to perform in the same city even the same day as the festival, the article describes this as a "crafty manipulation" arguing that no one will pay for a show after a free performance takes place the same day.
Catalyst News Network goes even further, accusing the organizers of "sucking the lifeblood from young artists" and concludes that "Art is truly being used to promote corporate profits -- while the artists, once again get screwed. "
It should be noted that very few details on the financial arrangements of the festival have been announced, but these allegations, if true, could pose very real problems for artists aiming for a position in summer's festival tours.