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Splendor in the Grass organizers confirmed that the 2024 festival was canceled just months before it was due to start.
The iconic musical show, which has been running since 2001, would be headlined by Kylie Minogue, with the 2024 lineup announced just days before its cancellation.
Organizers confirmed on Wednesday that the three-day festival, which was due to take place from July 19 to 21 at North Byron Parklands, had been canceled “due to unexpected events” and will not be rescheduled during 2024.
They confirmed that ticket holders will be refunded their money and said the festival will “work hard to get back” in the coming years.
As the festival’s future remains uncertain, MailOnline takes a look back at the event’s difficult years, from a drop in ticket sales in 2023 to disappointment over the 2024 line-up and the infamous ‘Splendor in the mud’ chaos.
Splendor in the Grass organizers confirmed that the 2024 festival was canceled just months before it was due to start, and that Kylie Minogue had signed up to headline
Disappointing lineup
Organizers managed to secure Australian superstar Kylie, 55, to headline the 2024 event, fresh from winning the Grammys and in the midst of her big Las Vegas residency.
Popular artists such as G Flip, Arcade Fire, Future and Girl In Red would also take the stage at the 2024 event.
However, the lineup received criticism for its lack of big-name international artists, with American rapper Future, 40, one of the only global stars scheduled to perform.
In the past, Splendor has recruited a host of international acts, including Kendrick Lamar, Tyler the Creator, Flume, Queens of the Stone Age and The Smashing Pumpkins.
The festival also became known for attracting some of Australia’s most renowned artists, including Powderfinger, Missy Higgins and Hilltop Hoods.
The cancellation and uncertainty over the future of the festival comes after a drop in ticket sales last year and disappointment over the 2024 line-up.
Popular artists such as Arcade Fire (pictured), G Flip and Future were set to take the stage, but the line-up received criticism for its lack of big-name international artists.
But reception towards the 2024 lineup was lukewarm, with fans wondering why they couldn’t attract higher-profile acts.
‘Absolutely rubbish. It’s one of the few festivals in Australia big enough to put together a semi-exciting, decent line-up and the biggest headliner overseas is Future,’ said one frustrated fan.
‘Australian festivals are screwed. How is it that the future is the only good international act? another agreed, while someone else added: “Australian music festivals are so boring omg.”
Bad ticket sales
A source claimed the festival’s cancellation was likely due to poor ticket sales amid the disappointing reaction to the line-up.
Meanwhile, Rolling Stone Australia COO Joel King also weighed in on the “perfect storm” that led to the cancellation, blaming scheduling and the cost of living crisis.
Splendor is the latest in a long line of music festivals that have been scrapped as organizers felt the pressure across Australia (pictured: 2023 music festival).
He told the Daily Telegraph: ‘It’s a wider problem related to the cost of living, poor line-up selection, erratic promoters (not in the case of Splendours), the inability to adapt and create a better festival experience, rising costs logistics, the hesitation of fans when buying tickets until the date approaches. The event and ‘Splendor in the Mud’ didn’t help.
“All of this is creating a perfect storm for event organizers.”
Splendor is the latest in a long line of music festivals that have been scrapped after Groovin the Moo, ValleyWays and Tent Pole Music Festival were canceled as organizers felt the pressure.
When The Tent Pole Music Festival was canceled just weeks before the scheduled start, organizers blamed the “impossible” economic climate.
Splendor tickets for 2024 were up for grabs for up to $599, but the festival will now have to refund sales to disappointed fans.
Last year, the festival (pictured) saw a 30 per cent drop in ticket sales, from 50,000 to 35,000, and failed to sell out for the first time since 2011.
Three-day tickets to the festival cost a whopping $399, while single-day tickets were up for grabs for $179.
Camping tickets were also $159, while premium VIP Village tickets were priced at $599, with additional fees added to all prices.
At the height of its popularity, the festival attracted 50,000 revelers over the three days.
But last year, the festival saw a 30 percent drop in ticket sales, from 50,000 to 35,000, when artists including Lizzo, Mumford and Sons and Tove Lo performed.
The 2023 festival also failed to sell out tickets for the first time since 2011, compared to ten years earlier when the iconic event sold out within an hour of going on sale.
It came after a difficult few years for the festival, which delayed it twice due to the Covid pandemic and the chaos of ‘Splendour in the mud’ the previous year (pictured).
Mud bath
It came after a difficult few years for the festival, which delayed it twice due to the Covid pandemic and the chaos of ‘Splendour in the mud’ the previous year.
2022’s Splendor in the Grass was flattened by torrential rain, turning the campground into a mud pit and forcing frustrated revelers to sleep in their cars.
At the music festival, attendees were forced to queue in their cars for up to 12 hours without knowing if they would make it in due to the completely soaked ground and lack of staff.
Event organizers came under fire from attendees, who shelled out $400 to go, and claimed they received no updates while they waited.
Partygoers had to wait up to 18 hours, and some slept in their cars, only to be forced to turn around because the mud made access to the campsites impossible.
2022’s Splendor in the Grass was crushed by torrential rain, turning the campground into a mud pit and forcing frustrated revelers to sleep in their cars, and organizers came under fire.
Friday’s opening day was called off after heavy rain forced organizers to close campsites as large parts were submerged.
The second day went ahead, but management seemed unprepared for the number of people leaving en masse after the final act.
Guests were forced to wait for a bus until 6am, and people claimed to have seen people crushed and falling ill with little or no support from staff.
A series of humiliating apologies from the organizers were met with anger from attendees, who claimed they had organized a calamitous festival despite three years of planning.