The promoters of the eagerly anticipated Soulfest 2015, the sophomore instalment of “Australia’s first neo-soul, jazz & hip-hop festival”, have pulled the plug on the event less than two weeks before it was set to kick off.
The event boasted a lineup topped by Mary J. Blige, Miguel, and Lauryn Hill, and followed on from a successful inaugural event held last year, which featured Mos Def, Common, D’Angelo, Maxwell, and Anthony Hamilton.
In a statement issued via the festival’s official Facebook page, promoters cited “poor ticket sales” as the reason for the eleventh hour cancellation.
“It is with a heavy heart and great regret that Soulfest International advises that it has become necessary to cancel Soulfest and the subsequent sideshows, due to poor ticket sales,” organisers write.
“Soulfest was launched with the intention of promoting genres of music that are often overlooked commercially in this country… and Soulfest 2014 successfully delivered some of the most exciting talent within these genres.”
“Despite a stellar line-up of artists and the best promotional endeavours on Soulfest’s behalf, the event has simply not received the support via ticket sales, and the financial loss that would be incurred by the event if it were to go ahead as planned would be devastating.”
“There have been many people working behind the scenes, including media partners, artists, sponsors, sub-contracted promoters, communication managers, agents and suppliers who live, breathe and support this incredible genre of music and have worked tirelessly to try and make this event a success.”
“The promoter sincerely apologises to all involved who have dedicated 7 months of their lives to work on this festival, and to the supporters of the event who purchased tickets.”
Promoters insist “no further statements or comments will be issued”, advising that if “further information is required” to please contact Soulfest direct via [email protected].
“For all tickets booked online or by phone, the credit card used in the booking will automatically be refunded. Please allow up to 14 days to receive your refund. If the original credit card you used for the purchase has been cancelled or no longer valid please contact place of purchase.”
“If you made your booking at an outlet please return to the original outlet where the booking was made with your ticket(s) and credit card used to purchase in hand to obtain your refund. Refunds will only be provided to the original purchaser on presentation of photo ID.”
Interestingly, The Huffington Post reports that the Soulfest Facebook page was updating fans on festival preparations in Sydney’s Domain as recently as late on Tuesday night. However, the post has since been deleted.
Fans have responded with furore on social media, with many expressing skepticism at the alleged “poor ticket sales” and disappointment at the fact that the cancellation was made so close to the event’s launch date.
“If ticket sales were so bad in the first place then why would you announce side shows?” asked one commenter. “I’ve spent $800+ on this trip so that I could travel to Sydney. Most of which is nonrefundable.”
“I had emailed you directly, as well as Melbourne promoters, consistently asking for extra tickets for friends coming from overseas,” another commenter alleged. “I was repeatedly told that the event was sold out, ‘at capacity,’ and sold more than 3 times the amount of tickets as last year.”
