Harvest Rock music festival in jeopardy, two months out from event in Adelaide’s eastern parklands

A popular Adelaide music festival is in jeopardy with no dates or line-up announcements just two months out from its usual October timeslot.

This year’s Harvest Rock music festival remains in jeopardy with no dates locked in or line-up announcements just two months from its usual October timeslot.

The annual two-day event launched in 2022 and has previously featured a host of international artists, including headliners Jamiroquai, Beck and Nile Rodgers, plus Crowded House and legendary Australian artist Paul Kelly.

Niles Rodgers performing at Harvest Rock. The festival is in jeopardy with no announcements made as of yet. Adelaide. Picture: Emma Brasier

But in another worrying sign for Australia’s music industry, this year’s third edition is still up in the air, with organisers of the state government-backed festival yet to officially confirm dates or announce acts.

The festival’s website and social media accounts have yet to be updated and there’s no mention of the 2024 event.

In March, Harvest Rock organisers successfully applied to Adelaide City Council to hold this year’s event on October 12-13 in the city’s eastern parklands.

In their submission to council, organisers said the two-day concert would attract about 20,000 people per day.

It’s understood Harvest Rock promoter, Secret Sounds, has yet to secure a headline act for the proposed October weekend and there’s growing speculation the event could be pushed back to late November to accommodate a big-name performer.

It’s also understood that festival organisers are seeking major event status from the government to confirm the potential new date.

Jamiroquai performs at Harvest Rock II in Rymill Park, Adelaide, in October 2023. Picture: Emma Brasier

Interstate music fans including Emily Hughes (30) Brisbane, Tom Polson (30) Brisbane, Melody (32) Brisbane at Harvest Rock II, last year. Picture: Emma Brasier

A Secret Sounds spokeswoman said they are “currently working on Harvest Rock with an announcement coming shortly”.

The South Australian Tourism Commission said details of this year’s event were still being finalised.

“Secret Sounds, as the promoter of the event, is continuing to work with stakeholders including the SATC to finalise details for Harvest Rock 2024,” the spokeswoman said.

“More details will be provided once dates and artist line-ups are confirmed.”

Last year’s Harvest Rock generated $18m in expenditure with 13,027 single or two-day passes sold and a total of 18,226 people attending. About 35 per cent of those attendees came from outside South Australia.

Crowd gathered in front of the main stage at the debut Harvest Rock festival in Adelaide in 2022. Picture: Topbunk

The speculation comes after Secret Sounds axed this year’s Splendour in the Grass music festival in March, and more recently, the touring Spilt Milk festival.

The company is also behind the popular New Year’s event Falls Festival which was put on hiatus late last year.

In June, co-chief executive of Secret Sounds, Jessica Ducrou, announced she was leaving the company.