The Big Chill festival's Melvin Benn, Managing Director Festival Republic, said he considered changing the date of the festival but admitted he also faced problems of artist availability: "It is with a considerable amount of regret that I have decided not to go ahead with The Big Chill in 2012.

"I looked long and hard late last year at moving the date so it didn't clash with the Olympics but with the mix of the festival fans desire to keep ...