Soulfest 2015 Has Been Cancelled

Soulfest 2015 will no longer go ahead, with promoters pulling the plug due to poor ticket sales.

Organisers of the event have released a statement, explaining that this year’s festival and associated sideshows have all been cancelled, in the wake of fears the company would suffer massive financial losses otherwise.

The R&B, hip-hop and soul extravaganza – which was due to kick off on Saturday, 24th October – was going to be headlined by Mary J. Blige, Miguel and Lauryn Hill, with stops in Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney, plus sideshows in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

The statement from Soulfest International reads as follows:

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. Soulfest was scheduled to take place in Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney, with sideshows in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, and was due to commence on October 20th.

Soulfest was launched with the intention of promoting genres of music that are often overlooked commercially in this country, specifically Neo-Soul, RnB and Hip-Hop, 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.

Full ticket refunds will be available. See below for details from festival organisers.

UPDATE: Many fans have lashed out online, blasting festival promoters on social media for the eleventh-hour cancellation, and calling bullshit on the “poor ticket sales” claim.

UPDATE 17/10/15: Soulfest promoter John Denison has revealed just how bad the festival’s 2015 ticket sales were, and has maintained that all advertised artists were on board for the festival, despite rumours that some were not.

Gallery: Soulfest 2014 Sydney, 18.10.14 / Photos: Liam Cameron

Soulfest 2015 Lineup

Mary J. Blige

Lauryn Hill

Jill Scott

Miguel

Black Star (Talib Kweli & Mos Def)

Jhene Aiko

Charlie Wilson

Talib Kweli

De La Soul

Dwele

Eric Benet

Floetry

Daniel Merriweather

Remi

BJ Chicago Kid

Kamasi Washington

Thandie Phoenix

DJ Trey

Soul of Sydney DJs

Maribelle

Jazmin Sullivan

David Dallas

Ladi 6

1200 Techniques

Jones Jnr (Sydney only)

Yum Yum (Sydney only)

45 Session DJs

+ more

Soulfest 2015

~~Saturday, 24th October 2015~~ – CANCELLED

The Domain, Sydney

Tickets: Soulfest

~~Sunday, 25th October 2015~~ – CANCELLED

Myer Music Bowl & Kings Domain Precinct, Melbourne

Tickets: Soulfest

Refund details:

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.

SOULFEST 2015 CANCELLEDIt is with a heavy heart and great regret that Soulfest International advises that it has…

Posted by Soulfest on Tuesday, October 13, 2015