The Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival has made its way back from the brink of cancellation, but organisers fear the 2025 event could end up in the red once again.

A key event on the Australian jazz calendar, financial pressures meant the 2023 Wangaratta festival was expected to be the last, but a massive effort by the town in Victoria's northeast saw it return to make a surplus in 2024.

It's one of dozens of live music events contending with increased costs and last-minute ticket sales.

The event relies heavily on volunteers and donations.

More than half a dozen applications to state and federal government funding bodies to support the 2025 program had been knocked back, said festival board chair Andrew Nunn.

But the local businessman doesn't want anyone attending out of pity.

"We'v

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