Tones and I have issued a dire warning after it was announced that the iconic Splendor in the Grass music festival had been cancelled.
Kylie Minogue was scheduled to headline the three-day music event in July, but organizers confirmed they had to cancel the 2024 festival.
It is the latest in a long line of Australian music festivals to be scrapped, after Groovin the Moo was forced to cancel just two months before it was due to start.
Following the shocking news, Dance Monkey singer Tones and I took to his Instagram Stories to issue a dire warning about the future of music festivals in Australia.
He urged fans to support local artists and events, as well as big global names, and warned Australia will have “no festivals left” amid the cancellations.
Tones and I have issued a dire warning about the future of Australian music after it was announced that the iconic Splendor in the Grass music festival had been cancelled.
She said: ‘Splendour in the Grass 2024 has been canceled and it’s quite sad because we also lost Groovin the Moo and Falls Festival in recent years and we don’t know if it will be back.’
“I think it’s more important now than ever to buy tickets to your favorite bands, go to live shows, go to festivals, even if you love the vibe, because these kids aren’t coming back; some of these festivals can’t come back.” and they need that support.
“I understand that everyone gets really excited when foreign artists come, and that’s really exciting, but soon we won’t have any festivals left, which will not only discourage foreign artists from coming, but it’s really going to hinder the promising music scene. Australian live music.
“If you can, do your best to support local artists and festivals in your own country.”
Tones and I previously performed at Splendor in the Grass in 2019, when he rose to global fame with his smash hit Dance Monkey.
Splendor in the Grass (pictured in 2023) is the latest in a long line of festivals to be scrapped this year, after Groovin the Moo was also forced to cancel.
Following the shocking news, Dance Monkey singer Tones and I issued a dire warning about the future of music festivals in Australia and urged fans to support local artists.
The 2024 festival would be headlined by Australian superstar Kylie, 55, while other big names such as Arcade Fire and G Flip also made up the line-up.
However, organizers confirmed on Wednesday that this year’s festival, which was due to take place from July 19 to 21 at North Byron Parklands, has been cancelled.
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 its future remains uncertain.
A statement read: “It is with great regret that we announce the cancellation of Splendor in the Grass 2024, originally scheduled for Friday 19 July to Sunday 21 July at Ngarindjin/North Byron Parklands.
‘We know there were a lot of fans excited about this year’s lineup and all the big artists were planning to join us, but due to unexpected events we will be taking the year off. Moshtix will automatically refund ticket holders.
“We thank you for your understanding and we will work hard to return in the coming years.”
Kylie Minogue was scheduled to headline the three-day music event in July, but organizers confirmed they had to cancel the 2024 festival.
Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco, from event organizers Secret Sounds, added: “We are heartbroken to miss a year, especially after more than two decades in operation.
‘This festival has always been a great community effort and we would like to thank everyone for their support and general faith. We hope to return in the future.”
A source claimed the festival’s cancellation was likely due to poor ticket sales, after the 2023 event saw a 30 per cent drop in sales.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted event organisers, Secret Sounds, for comment.
Since its inception in 2001, Splendor in the Grass has been held in various venues across New South Wales and Queensland.
At the height of its popularity, the festival attracted 50,000 revelers over the three days.
Organizers said the festival will “work hard to get back” as its future remains uncertain. Big names like Arcade Fire, G Flip and Girl In Red were due to perform
However, this year’s 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.
However, 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,’ commented one frustrated fan.
Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire (pictured) was also scheduled to perform.
‘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.”
Splendor in the Grass is the latest in a long line of music festivals that have been scrapped this year.
One of Australia’s biggest music festivals, Groovin the Moo, was forced to cancel its upcoming tour of shows just two months before it was due to start.
In February, organizers announced that festivals across regional Australia would not take place in 2024, citing poor ticket sales.
The traveling festival was due to appear in cities including Wayville, Canberra, Bendigo, Newcastle, Bunbury and the Sunshine Coast between April 25 and May 11.
At the height of its popularity, Splendor in the Grass attracted 50,000 revelers over the three days
Australian rock legends Jet would play alongside Australian music heavyweights such as San Cisco, DMA’s, The Jungle Giants and King Stingray.
In January, ValleyWays, a music festival featuring some of Australia’s biggest bands, was canceled just weeks before it was scheduled to take place.
ValleyWays was preparing to welcome revelers to Onslow Oval in Camden, south-west Sydney, on February 17, until it was announced it would not go ahead.
The festival was created in 2022 by Hottest 100 winners The Rubens in association with TEG MJR, a touring and events company who will tour with Hans Zimmer across Australia.
In the same month, Tent Pole Music Festival canceled its event just weeks before its start with organizers blaming the “impossible” economic climate.
This year’s festival 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.
Reception towards the 2024 lineup was lukewarm, with fans wondering why they couldn’t attract more well-known acts.
It was due to take place on February 17 at Mt Duneed Estate in Geelong, Victoria, but was forced to offer ticket holders a full refund after it was cancelled.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the new rock festival Pandemonium Rocks will continue with its scheduled concerts, despite previous reports that the shows had been cancelled.
Legendary rock artists Blondie, Alice Cooper, Placebo, Deep Purple and Wheatus are among the headliners scheduled to perform on two stages.
A spokesperson for the festival took to social media to assure disappointed fans that the concerts were still going ahead, albeit with some changes.