Stereosonic Music Festival won’t be back in 2016

IT’S the news Stereosonic fans have been dreading — the popular music festival is not coming back this year.

Stereosonic future in doubt

IT’S the news Stereosonic fans have been dreading.

Today the company behind the popular music festival, Totem OneLove, confirmed Stereosonic would not be held this year — but raised the possibility it would return next year.

“Totem Onelove Group is currently working on bringing Stereosonic fans the best festival experience possible. As part of this, we are taking a hiatus during 2016,” the statement said.

Hundreds of comments from devastated fans followed.

“Dear stereosonic, you will be sadly missed. Your fans and family will be deeply saddened on this bad news! We hope to see you in the near future good luck guys,” Justin Pascoe wrote.

Nicky Ford wrote: “This is a massive loss - but change can be positive! stereosonic will always have a special place in our hearts...such great memories. Thank you!!

But there is a glimmer of hope, with the company not —officially — shutting the door on Stereosonic forever.

‘However, we will return in 2017, bigger and better,” the post read. “We will see you soon!”

Other people who left comments on Facebook were angry by the departure in what typically is one of the most eagerly awaited festivals of the year.

Stereosonic was held in five capital cities nationally in November and December.

Some blamed the deaths of two people at concerts last year for its axing.

Pharmacist Sylvia Choi, 25, died at the Sydney Festival while Stefan Woodward, 19, overdosed at the Adelaide event.

At the time Stereosonic organisers were criticised for not doing enough about patron safety. However, last month they confirmed their support for plans to allow on-site pill testing centres, which would allow people to test the purity of drugs such as ecstasy.

“Typical that two people die from taking drugs that was their own risk and fault, and then everyone else has to suffer. Australia is such a nanny state. We have become ruled by greedy politics that don’t want people to enjoy themselves. This is an absolute joke, summer is ruined!” said Liam Morgan.

Have we seen the last of Stereosonic? Instagram user @burgalurgs

Others were able to joke about it though.

“Oh no... I guess I’ll cancel my Snap membership now, #shreddingforstereo is dead.”

SFX bought Stereosonic in 2013 for $75 million but kept founders Frank Cotela and Richie McNeill on as consultants.

The Daily Telegraph reported today Cotela and McNeill are planning on capitalising on Stereosonics demise by starting a new venture.

“I just don’t know what is going on there at Stereosonic,” Cotela told the Telegraph.

He couldn’t rule out starting another festival in the future, but said one was imminent. “Not at this stage no. Maybe in the future I will do something but at this stage there is nothing on the go.”

Originally published as Stereosonic Music Festival won’t be back in 2016