Geelong music festival Tent Pole 2024 cancelled after ‘impossible’ financial issues

The difficulties of running a music festival in the “current economic climate” have been laid bare after a major cancellation.

A Victorian musical festival has been cancelled due to “impossible” financial difficulties. Organisers of Geelong-based Tent Pole 2024 announced the news on Monday, just less than four weeks before the one-day event was set to take place at Mt Duneed Estate on February 17.

“This decision has not been made lightly as there is still strong belief in the event and what it can offer; however, the current economic climate coupled with the difficulties associated with establishing a new regional festival has made it impossible for us to proceed,” organisers wrote in a message shared on the Tent Pole website.

The Tent Pole music festival has been cancelled les than four weeks out from the event.

Punters have been assured they will receive an automatic refund for the $169.90 tickets.

This year’s event would have marked the festival’s second year of operation, featured international acts like Massachusetts-based rock band Dinosaur Jr, Glasgow band Mogwai and US band Calexico.

Tent Pole was a collaboration between Roundhouse Entertainment, Love Police and independent record label founder Johann Ponniah.

Tent Pole’s demise comes after a string of music festivals have been cancelled over cost-of-living concerns.

One-day festival Coastal Jam was pulled just days before punters were set to gather at the Mornington Peninsula on January 13.

Adelaide Hills festival Vintage Vibes was also postponed two weeks out from its January 27 and 28 dates due to economic and supply chain pressures.

Organisers said while refunds would be available via Oztix, they pleaded with supporters to hold on to tickets “as they will be rolled over for the event later this year”.

Originally published as Geelong music festival Tent Pole 2024 cancelled after ‘impossible’ financial issues