Music festival accused of failing to pay artists mysteriously cancelled

Two weeks before it was scheduled to begin, a major festival previously accused of failing to pay artists or refund ticket holders has mysteriously been cancelled.

A music festival which claimed to have a star-studded line-up including the likes of hip hop icons Doja Cat and 6IX9INE has suddenly cancelled the event just two weeks before it was set to take place.

Lunar Electric, a hip hop/electronic festival scheduled to take place across Australia, New Zealand and Dubai in 2023, has been previously accused of not paying artists or refunding ticket holders.

The Australian event, originally scheduled to be held at the Gold Coast on March 11, was cancelled on Thursday February 16.

Organisers took to Facebook to confirm the event was being postponed until September however the reasons behind it being scrapped remain a mystery.

Organisers announced the cancellation on Thursday February 16. Picture: Facebook.

The festival has now been postponed to September. Picture: Facebook.

“Unfortunately we have had to make the difficult decision to postpone the March Lunar Electric tour until September 2023,” the post read.

“We want to ensure we deliver the best line up and experience for you all and this just couldn’t be achieved at this time.

“We apologise for the delay in communicating this to you and hope you’ll be there with us come September for what is going to be one huge Lunar Electric tour!”

In a bid to dissuade ticket holders from seeking mass refunds, organisers made an unusual offer – choose to hang on to your ticket and receive an extra one for free.

“Keep hold of your ticket and we’ll give you 1x complimentary ticket for the new date in September,” organisers said.

“Refund options will (also) be available.”

Comments on the post had been turned off, but that didn’t stop patrons from questioning some peculiar behaviour leading up to the cancellation.

Speculation around the legitimacy of the festival swirled after organisers reportedly kept selling tickets even after its line up mysteriously disappeared from its website earlier this month.

There have also been suggestions that artists advertised as being part of the line up had never been booked.

Pop sensation The Veronicas, consisting of sisters Jessica and Lisa Origliasso, told The Daily Telegraph last year that Lunar Electric promoters owed them $100,000 from a cancelled 2020 festival.

The Veronicas claimed they're still owed for the cancelled 2020 festival. Picture: Twitter @TheVeronicas.

“The promoters seem to have decided to just not pay us, it’s just insane,” Jess said.

“We flew back from the US for these shows and flights are expensive now.

“We still paid all the crew, all the band, all expenses, flights, hotels, everything.

“And so we’re out of pocket as well as not getting paid for this festival.”

Other artists such as Australian rapper Illy made similar allegations and many who had purchased tickets claim they were never refunded.

This time around frustrated ticket holders continue to take to social media in search of answers after having seemingly been kept in the dark.

“What’s going on??? Is this even happening? 6ix9ne is no longer included in any of the posts. Can we get some insight into what’s happening,” one person commented three weeks ago.

“Is this even going ahead? How can there not be a line up when it’s six weeks out?” said another.

“I contacted the venue (in) qld and they advised me they couldn’t confirm if event will be going ahead, prepare for a (cancellation) of event,” one user wrote in the days prior to the announcement.

The rescheduled September date is yet to be confirmed.