Hundreds farewell Earthcore founder Spiro Boursine at funeral

FAMILY and friends farewelled colourful music identity Spiro Boursine, the founder of Earthcore festival, at a service in Melbourne.

HUNDREDS have turned out to pay tribute at the funeral of colourful music identity Spiro Boursine.

Family and friends spilt out on to church steps during the 90 minute service at Parkdale Greek Orthodox Church.

The Earthcore founder was taken away in a white casket covered in red roses.

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Spiro Boursine, 45, was farewelled in Parkdale today. Picture: Tony Gough

Family members wiped away tears as they told stories of the charismatic 45-year-old.

They described him as a man with a good heart.

Proceedings started at 11am with many still pouring in during the service.

While the mood was sombre, there was also an air of uneasiness among those attending.

Police are yet to confirm details of his death, leaving the exact circumstances that lead to his demise unclear.

It’s understood the festival entrepreneur went into cardiac arrest when police handcuffed him after becoming unruly at Antique Bar in Elsternwick.

Mr Boursine is alleged to have smashed a glass bottle and brandished it as a weapon inside the bar when he was pinned down to the ground by members of the public.

His death has left the fate of the Earthcore music festival in limbo, with allegations he stills owes tens of thousands of dollars to music industry figures.

Spiro’s death came amid reports of debts owed from previous events and run-ins with several music industry figures. Picture: Tony Gough

With less than a month to the projected start date, the Earthcore Facebook page still shows no set venue.

In recent years, the event had begun taking significant losses after headline acts began saying they weren’t getting paid.

Liquidators had begun to circle his collapsed dance company Yellow Sunshine, which he used to run the Earthcore festival.

The company fell into liquidation late last year, with the National Australia Bank and the tax office among those with the most debt.

Some music industry insiders had also begun to clash with Mr Boursine over debts he allegedly owed.

There are claims he had begun making expletive-laden phone calls to those trying to recoup their money.

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