Shockwaves through music scene as Splendour in the Grass abruptly cancelled
Splendour in the Grass organisers have issued a statement to why the beloved music festival was abruptly cancelled.
QLD News
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The much-anticipated Splendour in the Grass festival, scheduled for July 19 to 21, 2024, at North Byron Parklands, has been cancelled, organisers have confirmed.
In an email to ticket holders on Wednesday afternoon, organisers confirmed the festival’s cancellation, following widespread speculation from music industry sources.
“With a heavy heart, we’re announcing the cancellation of Splendour in the Grass 2024, originally scheduled from Friday 19 July to Sunday 21 July in Ngarindjin / North Byron Parklands,” it read.
“Ticket holders will be refunded automatically by Moshtix. We thank you for your understanding and will be working hard to be back in future years.”
The cancellation, attributed to “unexpected events,” has left both fans and the broader community seeking answers, with no further explanation provided.
“We know there were many fans excited for this year’s line-up and all the great artists planning to join us, but due to unexpected events we’ll be taking the year off,” the statement added.
Earlier, the news has sparked a wave of disappointment across social media, with festival-goers voicing their sadness and speculating on the reasons behind the sudden cancellation.
A theory among fans is that poor ticket sales, driven by what has been described as an underwhelming line-up, are to blame.
“Not the best line-up in my opinion,” one fan on Instagram said, while another wrote “(it) was the most mid line-up in this festivals history”.
However, the underwhelming response to the line-up isn’t the only factor at play.
Many have pointed to the broader economic climate, specifically the cost of living crisis, as a significant barrier preventing potential attendees from purchasing tickets.
“Maybe if woolies and Cole’s would stop charging people $20 for cabbage then there
would be more room to support basic human pleasures like attending a live show,”
one person commented on Instagram, while another wrote “no one can afford it atm unfortunately”.
This year’s Splendour was set to feature Australian music icon Kylie Minogue as its headline act. Minogue, celebrated for hits spanning four decades, was expected to draw large crowds with a performance on the festival’s opening night.
Alongside her, a roster of artists including G Flip, Tash Sultana, and Future were scheduled to perform.
As of 11:45am, the official Splendour in the Grass channels have remained silent on the matter, neither confirming the cancellation on their website nor through social media.
Byron Shire Deputy Mayor Sarah Ndiaye, who is also the shire’s arts and creative industries chair, said while she was unaware why the festival was scrapped, “it’s clear the local music industry is not in a good place post-covid and following extreme weather events in the Northern Rivers”.
“Not only is it a shame for the people that have an incredible time there, but it’s a key economic driver in our winter months. We really need to look closer at what’s going on with our festivals.”
Byron Shire Councillor Duncan Dey said he was unsure of the reasons why Splendour wasn’t going ahead, but claimed the massively popular festival had put a “strain” on the Northern Rivers in recent years.
“In my personal view, it has gotten too big,” Cr Dey said.
“The site (the North Byron Parklands at Yelgun) is on a flood plain, and we have seen issues there in recent years.
“The area has a population of 30,000 residents. And if you’re bringing in more than 50,000 people to Splendour there will always be a strain on accommodation, infrastructure and the road network. It’s not a good planning arrangement.”
Cr Dey said the management of the parklands and the festival had not been in council’s hands “for at least a decade” and was now “controlled by the state”.
“I believe there’s still some of the community here who lament what the festival has become,” he said.
“But I do acknowledge the cancellation of the festival will have a significant impact on the local music industry and the local economy in those service roles.”
This news comes on the heels of another major festival cancellation.
Last month, Groovin’ the Moo, another staple of Australia’s music festival scene, announced the cancellation of its 2024 edition across all six regional locations.
The decision was made public by the festival’s organisers, Cattleyard Promotions, merely eight days after ticket sales commenced, citing insufficient ticket sales as the primary reason.
The line-up had included international acts such as Melanie C, GZA of Wu-Tang Clan, the Kooks, and the Beaches, alongside beloved Australian performers Jet, King Stingray, Mallrat, and San Cisco.
However, the underwhelming response to the line-up isn’t the only factor at play. Many have pointed to the broader economic climate, specifically the cost of living crisis, as a significant barrier preventing potential attendees from purchasing tickets.
“Maybe if Woolies and Coles would stop charging people $20 for cabbage then there
would be more room to support basic human pleasures like attending a live show,”
one person commented on Instagram, while another wrote “no one can afford it atm unfortunately”.
Originally published as Shockwaves through music scene as Splendour in the Grass abruptly cancelled
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