Long-running Australian music festival Splendour in the Grass has cancelled its 2024 edition a week after tickets went on sale. In a statement, they say that “due to unexpected events we’ll be taking the year off” and say that ticketholders will automatically be refunded. “We thank you for your understanding,” the statement continues, “and will be working hard to be back in future years.” Read it in full below.
As news.com.au points out, this is one of several Australian festivals that have been cancelled this year. Greens senator for South Australia, Sarah Hanson-Young, said, “Another festival in Australia which is unable to go ahead because of all the pressures and cost associated. This is another festival in a long list that of those that have had to be cancelled by organisers over the last few months. Groovin the Moo, Falls Festival, Vintage Vibes, ValleyWays, Coastal Jams, Pitch and of course, Dark Mofo, we know has had trouble. Arts and music is such an important part of what makes life great. It also is an important part of our economy. Thousands of people, because of today’s decision to cancel Splendour in the Grass, will be out of work. Thousands of people will be scratching around thinking how they’re going to pay their bills.”
“The Australian music festival industry is currently facing a crisis, and the flow-on effects will be felt across the local communities, suppliers and contractors that sustain our festivals and rely on them to support their livelihoods,” Australian Festival Association managing director Mitch Wilson says. “We need government at the table to help us through this period and assist in stabilising our industry to sustainable levels. This needs a national approach.”
The festival’s 2024 lineup was to have featured Kylie Minogue, G Flip, Turnstile, Tash Sultana, Omar Apollo, Viagra Boys, Otoboke Beaver, Yard Act, Future, Yeat, Fontaines D.C., The Last Dinner Party, Pond, Coco & Clair Clair, Arcade Fire, girl in red, The Kills, TV Girl, Eyedress, Sofia Kourtesis, Erika de Casier, and more. See it in full below.
Splendour also had trouble in 2022, its post-Covid return, when it had to cancel its first day amid a rainstorm, flooding, and reports of chaos. In 2023, ticket sales were down 30% from the previous year, with co-producer Jessica Ducrou telling ABC News, “I think it is a reflection of the current economy. We are seeing a lot of people buying single-day tickets rather than three days and that is very much a reflection on the budget.”
SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS’ STATEMENT ON 2024 CANCELLATION:
With a heavy heart, we’re announcing the cancellation of Splendour in the Grass 2024, originally scheduled from Friday 19 July to Sunday 21 July in Ngarindjin / North Byron Parklands. We know there were many fans excited for this year’s line-up and all the great artists planning to join us, but due to unexpected events we’ll be taking the year off. Ticket holders will be refunded automatically by Moshtix. We thank you for your understanding and will be working hard to be back in future years.
QUOTE FROM JESSICA DUCROU & PAUL PITICCO, CO-CEOs SECRET SOUNDS
“We’re heartbroken to be missing a year especially after more than two decades in operation. This festival has always been a huge community effort, and we’d like to thank everyone for their support and overall faith. We hope to be back in the future.”If you have purchased tickets for Splendour in the Grass 2024, you don’t need to do anything – your ticket(s) will be automatically refunded back to your credit card/PayPal account and Moshtix will let you know when this has been done.
Refunds will be processed within the next 5-10 business days.
If your card details have changed, please wait for Moshtix to contact you directly regarding this.If you’re unable to see the refund in your account within 5 business days from receiving confirmation it has been processed, please contact your financial institution before contacting Moshtix.
Please understand our customer service team and the Moshtix Fan Support teams are incredibly busy at the moment, so we encourage you not to contact us. Instead, you can find lots of information and answers to your questions in our information portal at tixsupport.moshtix.com.au
We’re sorry for any disappointment caused.
Thank you very much for your patience.