Future of Woodford Festival threatened by slow ticket pre-sales

A major Aussie music festival is pleading for help from fans as the industry suffers its toughest year amid dozens of cancellations.

Another beloved Australian summer music institution is struggling for survival, with the Woodford Folk Festival operators sharing the dire state of ticket sales for its 2024/2025 event in a plea to fans for help.

In an email to fans and the music industry, the festival promoters revealed ticket pre-sales are down 15 per cent and “if this trend continues over the next few weeks, the shortfall will threaten the festival’s future.”

The annual event has run at its bush home north-west of Brisbane since 1994 and is scheduled to run from December 27 to January 1 with Baker Boy, King Stingray, Dan Sultan, Tia Gostelow, Meg Washington, Ash Grunwald, Beccy Cole and Yothu Yindi among this year’s line-up.

The statement issued by director Amanda Jackes, Woodfordia President Lachlan Brown, and Founder Bill Hauritz said they had “worked hard” to minimise ticket price increases despite rising event costs.

Baker Boy is one of the headliners for this year’s Woodford Folk Festival. Picture: Emma Brasier

Adult day tickets rose from $130 to $140, and adult season camping tickets from $647 to $672.

“So we now turn to you, our community, on whose loyal support we have always relied to overcome tough situations such as this. In short, we hope you’ll return to the festival this year and purchase your tickets soon,” the Woodford operators said.

They continued: “We know interest rates and inflation are high, and the cost of living is affecting most of us.

“But we have a truly wonderful program this year and we believe the festival still offers the best value for families and individuals seeking a time to unwind, reconnect and prepare for the year ahead.”

A raft of marquee music festivals have cancelled or taken the year off in 2024 including Groovin’ The Moo, Splendour in the Grass, Pitch, Spilt Milk and Harvest Rock while Byron Bay’s Bluesfest signalled next year will be their last event.

The Woodford team said they have weathered “numerous” challenges over the past six years, including the pandemic cancelling the event for two years.

Perennial festival faves Ball Park Music are also on the bill. Picture: Supplied.

“Bringing the land back to host our community festival safely proved much harder and more expensive than we ever anticipated,” they said.

“After the pandemic, costs to stage the festival surged by up to 40 per cent. We had to rebuild our team and nurture the organisation back to being a large-scale festival producer. We made it through then with your support. Just.”

A successful comeback in 2022/23 was heartbreakingly followed by the “financially devastating result” of the 2023/24 festival. The event was hampered by extreme weather, another ongoing threat to Australian festivals as it has sent insurance premiums skyrocketing and dampened the confidence in music fans about buying tickets early.

Award-winning surf rock band King Stingray are one of Woodford’s star attractions. Picture: Sam Brumby

“Despite strong planning and ticket sales, a nationwide crisis in the music industry started unfolding, with festivals — big and small — cancelling across the country,” they told fans.

“Then, in late November, a cyclone formed off the Queensland coast, bringing challenging weather through December. This severely impacted our attendance, leading to a financially devastating result.”

The Woodford team thanked their community of supporters and signed off with “asking for help is never easy, but we thank you for … considering our request.”

Originally published as Future of Woodford Festival threatened by slow ticket pre-sales