Darwin Infinity Music Festival collapses after fraudster exposed

A FORMER publicist for the Darwin Infinity Music Festival has claimed the event was a scam that “was never going to happen”.

A FORMER publicist for the Darwin Infinity Music Festival has claimed the event was a scam “that was never going to happen” and predicted ticket holders won’t get their money back.

The festival, scheduled to take place at Darwin’s Botanic Gardens on October 11, appears to have collapsed with tickets no longer available for purchase and online ads gone.

It is not known how many tickets have been sold.

The Infinity Music Festival’s website, Facebook page and promotional YouTube videos have disappeared since the NT News ran an expose on the event director Dene Broadbelt, 21, after many of his past business associates claimed he had conned them out of thousands of dollars.

Mr Broadbelt – who also goes by the last names Mussillon and Morgan – could not be contacted by the NT News yesterday because his mobile phone has been disconnected and his social media accounts deactivated.

Darwin Council spokesman Greg Stonhom said Mr Broadbelt had not paid a deposit to secure the amphitheatre at Darwin’s Botanic Gardens for the event but confirmed the booking was still “pencilled in”.

Publicist Jarrod Meakins said he was hired to promote the electro music festival but quit “about two months ago” when he wasn’t paid for his work and discovered Mr Broadbelt was a “fraudster”.

“I don’t personally think the festival was ever going to happen,” Mr Meakins said.

“Reflecting on it, I think the whole thing was a scam, some of the artists being advertised didn’t even know they were booked to play, because they weren’t. The last thing I did was help announce Darwin, and after that I pulled out when I found out what he was up to.’’

“From experience, I don’t believe that anyone who has bought tickets is going to get their money back.”

Commissioner for Consumer Affairs NT Gary Clements said ticket holders were “legally entitled to a refund”.

“They can go to the (booking agent’s) website and request a refund there,” he said, adding ticket holders should contact Consumer Affairs on 1800 019 319 if they need help.