Australian metal music festival Park Waves has been cancelled just two months before it was to go ahead due to “rising costs”.
Australian band Parkway Drive was due to headline the 11-date travelling metalcore festival, with tickets sold for gigs in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia during February and March next year.
Organisers confirmed the “devastating” news that the festival will no longer go ahead and blamed it on a number of issues, including financial challenges.
Park Waves Festival has been cancelled. (Nine/Instagram)
“With a heavy heart, we’ve had to make a difficult decision. We’ve tried everything. We’re gutted,” organisers said in a statement on its website.
“We know everyone will be understandably disappointed.”
Headlining act Parkway Drive took to Instagram to apologise to fans.
The band said Park Waves was yet another festival casuality in the tough Australian music scene.
Headlining act Parkway Drive took to Instagram to apologise to fans. (Instagram/@parkwaydriveofficial)
“This is a message we never imagined we’d have to write, and it weighs heavily on us. Park Waves Australia has been cancelled,” Parkway Drive said in a statement.
“Just writing this feels like a kick in the guts, but here we are – another festival being crushed by the rising costs across our entertainment industry.
“We’ve tried every possible option to keep this dream alive, but the reality of the circumstances won’t allow for it.”
Ticketholders will be refunded the price of tickets and booking fees.
“Please know that your support is what keeps this culture alive and standing strong through the worst of times,” the band added.
Park Waves was set to be an inaugral Australian festival showcasing Parkway Drive as the main act alongside several other metal bands, including Amity Affliction, Northlane and Story of the Year.
It was billed as a “never-before-witnessed” event with circus performers, carnival rides, food and sideshow alleys.
Plenty of legacy festivals have fallen victim to Australia’s turbulent live music scene.
So far this year, Good Life, A Festival Called Panama, Esoteric, Souled Out, Groovin the Moo and Forth Valley Blues have been forced to axe their events.
