The suggestion came from Mayor Jules Radich during a discussion at the Dunedin City Council yesterday about festivals and events.
Noting the musical and cultural movement that emerged in the early 1980s known as the Dunedin Sound, he envisaged local artists and bands coming to the city, including a headline act at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
"An event like that ... no-one could ever take that away," he said.
The Chills were closely associated with the Dunedin Sound and independent record label Flying Nun. The Glenroy Auditorium in Dunedin was packed last Friday for Phillipps’ funeral and tributes to the singer-songwriter flowed in from around the world.
Asked about the festival idea, the longtime manager of Phillipps and The Chills, Scott Muir, said its success would depend upon it being driven from the ground up.
"It would not come to fruition easily," Mr Muir said.
"In my experience, the best way is letting the creatives do it themselves."
Mr Muir said the city council could have a support role, such as in marketing and promotion.
The council could also help the music ecosystem by supporting grassroots venues, he said.
"Their job is to support — not to be the arbiters of taste."
The city council ran a workshop yesterday that covered Dunedin’s identity, heritage, culture, environment and approach to fostering festivals and events.
Much of the discussion was about spreading events through the calendar, bundling events or functions of similar theme together, being tactical about providing support and building on city strengths.
Former Tātaki Auckland Unlimited head of major events Chris Simpson was the guest speaker by video link and he said competition for events had become more intense.
The cost of delivering events had risen about 30% on pre-Covid levels, he said.
Cities and countries viewed events as a critical catalyst for economic recovery and international sports bodies had ramped up commercial requirements, he said.
Mr Simpson said this was making it difficult for New Zealand to compete on some levels.
Emphasis was shifting from one-off events to regular content and this took time to build, he said.
Mr Simpson saw potential in the mayor’s suggestion.
Councillors also highlighted secondary school tournaments, business conferences, scenic qualities associated with events such as the Otago Rally, Scottish heritage and accessibility advantages from having a compact city.
The city’s festivals and events plan was written in 2018 and expired in 2023.
It is being refreshed and Dunedin destination manager Sian Sutton said "we are proposing to depart somewhat from what we currently have". A high-level strategy would be reinforced by two implementation plans — one for major events and the other for civic and community events.
The implementation plans should be fully costed, she said.
The council is also set to review the way it provides grants. Cr Bill Acklin said the grants review would be a crucial element in working out how events could become more sustainable in the long term.
