ValleyWays festival cancelled: The Rubens say not the right time

Festivalgoers have been left disappointed after a one-day event organised by popular Aussie band The Rubens was canned.

Australian band The Rubens have been forced to cancel their upcoming music festival. Picture: Supplied/Cybele Malinowski

Festivalgoers have been left disappointed after a one-day event organised by popular Aussie band The Rubens was cancelled.

ValleyWays festival was set to feature a bunch of Aussie acts, including Grinspoon, Ball Park Music and Ruby Fields, at Onslow Oval in Camden, in Sydney’s southwest, on February 17.

Australian band The Rubens have been forced to cancel their upcoming music festival, ValleyWays. Picture: Supplied

However, ticket holders have been informed by a notice posted on Ticketek that organisers have had to cancel the one-day festival.

“It is with a heavy heart that TEG MJR and the Rubens are announcing that ValleyWays is being cancelled for 2024,” the organisers explained.

“We understand that costs of living pressures and rising interest rates have severely impacted patrons, particularly in regional areas like Camden.

“It simply isn’t the right time for this ambitious music festival to take place.”

Grinspoon were also set to perform at the one-day festival. Picture: Supplied

However, The Rubens hoped the festival could return in a “brand new format in the future”, as they “remain committed to their vision of growing the live music economy in Camden”.

All purchased tickets will receive a full refund within 30 business days.

The change in plans left music lovers devastated, with many taking to social media to express their frustration the gig was canned.

“Shame this has been cancelled,” one person wrote on the festival’s event page.

The Rubens, Grinspoon, Ball Park Music and Ruby Fields were set to headline new Camden festival ValleyWays. Picture: Instagram via NCA NewsWire

“So disappointed it is cancelled,” another added.

Meanwhile, another ticket holder said they were “still waiting” for their refund.

ValleyWays was supported by the NSW government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Both ValleyWays and Destination NSW have been contacted for comment.