Freddie Portelli said in a media release that there was one sole reason why he was not performing at this year’s Farsons Beer Festival. He has again been offered the opportunity, he said, but declined.

The reason was that the sound from the second stage (rock) is so loud that it interferes with the music coming from the main stage, where he would be performing.

Mr Portelli said that besides hindering his performance, this was annoying to both the audience in the main stage area, and to himself.

This was the only reason why he had declined to take part. Efforts had been made to find a solution, but he was not entirely satisfied with the result, he added.