FOLLOWING a successful return to a live format in 2022, after two years of online iterations due to COVID–19 and a cancelled event in 2019, planning is in motion for the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues for both 2023 and '24.

Festival representative Dave Fuller said survey responses from audiences and stakeholders about last year's event included some insightful and constructive feedback, which had given the board food for thought in moving forward.

Mr Fuller said some of the common feedback related to two well–loved and missed parts of the festival's history and rich tapestry: Reid Street, and the jam session.

He said Reid Street was removed from the festival in 2014 due to escalating costs; infrastructure requirements, security and other compliance issues had taken the cost to nearly $100,000, with less than a quarter of that amount supported by income, making in untenable for continued staging.

The jam session, meanwhile, is something the board is working to re–incorporate where funding and resources permit.

While finances and resources are restrained amid the festival's sustainability rebuild, Mr Fuller said over the next two years the event would aim to foster an even stronger community vibe, as well as maintaining provision of quality live music and entertainment.

In addition to partnering again with local venues, the festival is looking at cross–promotions, including working with the King Valley Art Show and the Strictly Quilts 2023 exhibition.

Mr Fuller said the committees for these complementary events were looking forward to offering their audiences a variety of new experiences in collaboration with the community and festival.

He said while scale would be reduced and balanced by funding applications submitted across all levels of government, a key part of the rebuild was fostering a thriving connection to the community – "an almost return to roots–type re–emergence".

The festival will conduct its annual general meeting on Wednesday, May 24 at The Vine Hotel from 6pm.

With the chance to buy a meal and stay for a set by The Daisies, the meeting is also an opportunity for locals to join the board, and for volunteers to register their interest in assisting with the 2023 festival, which will kick off on Friday, November 3.

If you would like more information, email businessmanager@wangarattajazz.com