Mysteryland US cancelled

The US  edition of Mysteryland has just been cancelled. A statement on the Lifestyle promoted event's website reads: "Dear Nomads", Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mysteryland USA will no longer take place in 2017. Since 2014, we have strived to produce the best possible experience for our festival attendees, and are truly humbled by all of the love and support that you, the artists, the beautiful venue of Bethel Woods Center For The Arts and the town of Bethel have shown us as we celebrated life through music, culture and art". The 2017 event was due to take place in July, headlined by LCD Soundsystem, Major Lazer and G-Eazy. 

T off for 2017

“Continued restrictions” on the T in the Park festival site at Strathallan Castle mean the event will be not go ahead in 2017 – its first cancellation in 23 years. In a statement to press, the two parties behind the festival – promoter DF Concerts and commercial partner Tennnt’s Lager – blamed T in the Park’s enforced move from its previous site, in a disused airfield in Balado, Kinross-shire, for the 2017 event’s postponement, as well as problems at the new site - not least the protected Osprey's nest that had huge cost for the organisers and local objections , saying they “need to take stock and take a year out to try to resolve the issues, so that we can once again deliver the kind of camping festival you are used to and deserve.”

Kanye cancels US dates

Kanye West has cancelled the remaining 21 shows on his current US concert tour: “The remaining dates on the Saint Pablo Tour have been cancelled,” said a spokesperson for concert promoter Live Nation. “Tickets will be fully refunded at point of purchase.” The cancellation comes in the wake of a series of recent rants in which West declared himself a Donald Trump supporter and criticised a long list of celebrities including Jay Z, Beyoncé, Hillary Clinton and Mark Zuckerberg. West reportedly abandoned a Sacramento performance at the weekend after he had performed just three songs. Press reports say he is suffering from exhaustion but the BBC reported that West has been taken to hospital following an emergency services call. A police spokesperson told the BBC they had received a "disturbance call" on Monday afternoon, but did not name the singer. NBC News said officers had been responding to a "medical welfare call" and the decision to hospitalise West was for his own health and safety, citing "multiple authorities familiar with the case".

Queen cancel remaining 2016 tour dates

Brian May, the lead guitarist and founding member of the rock band Queen, announced that the group was axing the remainder of their scheduled shows for 2016 while May grapples with an persistent medical condition.

"We’re very sad today to announce the indefinite postponement of our ‘candlelight’ concert dates this coming December. This is a decision I’ve agonised over, but in the end it has become inevitable. I managed to complete the recent Queen and Adam Lambert dates in Asia but I have been increasingly battling with a persistent illness which is destroying my energy and my will," May said in a statement posted on his official website. 

And Mariah Carey is cancelling concerts in Brazil, Argentina and Chile on her Latin America tour.  According to E! News, the singer is citing promoter negligence as the reason. 

Forgotten Fields cancelled

The second edition of the Forgotten Fields festival has been cancelled due to “the rising costs of producing a quality event”, according to organisers. The festival had previously confirmed headliners Dizzee Rascal, Suede and Kodaline would be playing at the event on 4-7 August 2016 in Kent. The event is run by the Manchester-based company From the Fields, which also runs Bluedot Festival, Kendall Calling and Live From Jodrell Bank. The festival is offering fans a full refund or a ticket swap with Standon Calling festival, which takes place on 29-31 July in Hertfordshire.

Tommorrowworld 2016 Cancelled

TomorrowWorld's organiwers have announced that the festival will not be taking place in 2016 due to its "current environment." The Chattahoochee Hills, Ga. festival would have entered its fourth year in operation.

A message on the event's website said

Dear Friends,

It’s with a heavy heart that we inform you, TomorrowWorld will not take place in 2016. Unfortunately in the current environment , it is not possible to give you the best and unique experience you deserve.

We will miss seeing each other in September and experiencing the magic of TomorrowWorld as one. You, the People of Tomorrow, the foundation of TomorrowWorld, are our inspiration.

Let’s lock and cherish all the magnificent memories in our hearts, this is not farewell…

TomorrowWorld

http://www.tomorrowworld.com/

Tyler the Creator banned from UK for 2009 homophobic lyrics

The circumstances that have prevented Tyler, The Creator from playing the Reading and Leeds festivals this weekend have been explained as visa issues. His manager, Christian Clancy,  took to Tumblr to say ""Tyler has been banned from entering the UK for somewhere between three to five years per a letter from the Secretary Of State for the home department [sic] of the United Kingdom. The letter specifically cites lyrics he wrote six to seven years ago for his albums 'Bastard' and 'Goblin' –the type of lyrics he hasn't written since... highlights from the letter include that his work 'encourages violence and intolerance of homosexuality' and 'fosters hatred with views that seek to provoke others to terrorist acts'. I grew up on NWA, Eminem and Rage Against The Machine, so it's hard for me to fully wrap my head [around] this thought process and its implications".  The rapper also recently cancelled dates in Australia, where there had been calls for his visa application to be denied because of similar issues with past lyrics.

More here http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/sep/01/tyler-the-creator-comments-banned-uk-freedom-of-speech

Another Hop Farm festival sinks as High Definition goes under

In the wake of the failure of live music veteran Vince Power's Hop Farm Festival, and the subsequent failure of the replacement festival at the same farm (after which the promoter called the Kent farm "cursed ground") another event at the same site has failed: It seems the organisers of the dance music festival High Definition set for the 5th of September are the latest to fall out with the owners of the Hop Farm in a dispute over whether or not the promoters had met all their licensing requirements. According to the Kent & Sussex Courier, organisers have sent out a message to ticket-holders that reads: "Due to the actions of The Hop Farm last week it is with great regret that the directors have taken the decision to cancel all future events. The decision is beyond their control due to the action of third parties and the impending insolvency of the company. Professional advice has now been received in this respect and steps to place the company into liquidation have been taken. Notice of the creditors' meeting under Section 98 of the Insolvency Act 1986, to place the company into Creditors Voluntary Liquidation will be shortly issued". Ticketholders have been advised to seek a refund from their bank or credit card company, or they can opt to swap their tickets to the cancelled festival for a ticket to one of three other events taking place in September. 

http://www.thehopfarm.co.uk/events/256/high-definition-festival/

Jay's Good Times end

Norman Jay's Good Times In The Park festival, slated for this weekend (Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September) has been cancelled. A statement from Good Times in the Park says:

"It is with enormous regret that DJ Norman Jay MBE and his Good Times team confirm that their Good Times in the Park festival scheduled for the 13th and 14th September in Wormwood Scrubs has had to be cancelled due to unforeseen technical difficulties.

They hope that they'll be able to continue to work closely with the authorities so that next year they can welcome you back for what promises to be their greatest adventure yet in the land of music and the biggest and best Good Times party ever. All ticket holders are advised to contact their ticket agencies who will arrange their refund."

The line-up across 3 stages included an exclusive UK performance from Chaka Khan and Groove Armada, Brand New Heavies, The Cuban Brothers, David Rodigan, Ms Dynamite and more. All proceeds from the festival were to go to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, Damilola Taylor Trust, Prostate Cancer UK and Coppafeel!

Read more at http://www.efestivals.co.uk/news/ and http://www.goodtimesinthepark.com/

Miracles stop as Jesus Christ Superstar tour pulled

The all-star production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Jesus Christ Superstar', which was due to begin a 51 date tour of the US later this month, has been cancelled with low ticket sales being blamed. With a cast featuring Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams, Incubus frontman Brandon Boyd, JC Chasez of The Backstreet Boys and pil and ex-Sex Pistol John Lydon, the show's veteran producer Michael Cohl told The New York Times: "It became obvious the shows were in trouble, but we tried until the last moment to give it every chance to turn around. In the end, it just did not make business sense to continue, and we didn't want the cast to endure playing to disappointing audiences". Competition winner Ben Forster, who has been playing Jesus in the touring show elsewhere since 2012, tweeted: "I am so devastated. I'm sorry to everyone who got tickets and flights. Who ever fucked it up I hate you. But I forgive you, I'm Jesus... well I was".

Rockness and Kenwood cancel

Organisers of Scotland's RockNess festival have announced that the event will not go ahead this year. In a statement the events promoters said: "Due to the addition of a number of events alongside the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games we've decided to take a year off. We're using this break to make the event bigger and better than ever in 2015 so have an amazing summer and see you back at the Loch next year".

And there will be no summer concerts at Kenwood House in Hampstead, London,this year after organisers decided to pull the plug after 'major losses' in 2013.

Barbican Just Jam cancelled on Police advice

The March 1st scheduled Just Jam event, which was supposed to take place at the Barbican arts complex  in London, has been called at the recommendation of the City Of London Police, who raised "public safety concerns" with regards to the event's management. The one-off show was due to feature acts including JME, Mount Kimbie, Loefah, Newham Generals and Omar Souleyman and the sets were to be streamed live via JJ's online channel.

Citing amongst other issues the fact that alcohol would be on sale at the event, despite it being open to ticket-holders aged 16 and over, City of London Police issued a statement yesterday that read "Additionally, there were worries about the lack of adequate measures in place to address potential issues that might arise, including overcrowding if more people decided to attend than the venue could cater for" continuing "after consultation the decision to cancel the event was taken by the Barbican as the venue".​​​​ It seems the Just Jam organisers were unaware of the moves and commented on the cancellation "with great regret" saying "We're struggling to understand why this has happened and will try to start a dialogue with the police so we can discuss whatever issues they have with Just Jam at the Barbican" and "The workshops we've recently ran with the Barbican in Fellows Court in Hackney have shown how the artists we work with can get young people from all backgrounds excited about making art and music, we hope to continue working on this and on other projects, with the Barbican in the future".

The Barbican said the venue "has taken the decision to cancel the Just Jam concert that was scheduled to take place on 1 March 2014 on the grounds of public safety following dialogue with the City of London Police" on its website. "As a responsible public venue we have to take police advice seriously and consider the safety of audience members, artists and our staff."

Sled Island, Love & Peace both cancelled

The Sled Island Festival in Calgary has been cancelled mid way through after severe flooding in the Canadian city. A note posted on the event's website says "in light of the current emergency situation and in line with our commitment to the safety of festival goers and the citizens of Calgary, all remaining Sled Island Festival events are cancelled”.

Sweden’s 40,000 capacity Love & Peace Festival has been cancelled after poor ticket sales. The annual end of June event, due to be headlined by Depeche Mode , Pet Shop Boys, Queens of the Stone Age and Iggy Pop had sold just 9,000 tickets. It is understood the organising company is in administration. 

The Isle of Man Festival which would have featured Johnny Marr and Primal Scream has also been cancelled, again because of poor ticket sales. The event was scheduled to take place on 6 July at Nobles Park and the line up also included Paloma Faith, Wretch 32 and Laura Mvula.

Hop Farm cancelled

Vince Power has announced the cancellation of this year's Hop Farm Festival, due to take place on the 5th and 6th July, citing poor ticket sales as the reason for the decision. As previously reported, Power salvaged the Hop Farm brand after the collapse of his last vehicle, Music Festivals Plc which left Hop Farm Festival suppliers, including the local police force, a total of £4.8 million out of pocket according to local press. This year's festival was due to be headlined by My Bloody Valentine and Rodriguez and The Horrors, Jilmmy Cliff, The Cribs and Dinosaur Jr were also set to perform across the weekend.

Read more at http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/70102#ge4J9cEyPPQjZrXH.99 

Tokyo Rocks crumbles

A new Japanese festival called Tokyo Rocks has been cancelled just over a month before its scheduled dates.  The event was being staged by a local promoter called Takashi Yano, but won worldwide attention thanks to the involvement of Alan McGee who put together a line-up which included Creation alumni Primal Scream and My Bloody Valentine, alongside other Western acts like Blur, Carl Barat and The Brian Jonestown Massacre.

http://louderthanwar.com/tokyo-rocks-2013-cancelled/

Summer Sundae to skip 2013

Following the news that the No Direction Home festival will take a year off in 2013, the Coda booked Summer Sundae festival in Leicester has announced that it will do the same with organisers saying: "After much consideration we have decided it's best for Summer Sundae Weekender to take a year off and as such there will be no Summer Sundae at De Montfort Hall in 2013". Organisers of the 7.200 capacity event, which has been going for twelve years, added "We have taken this decision against the backdrop of a very difficult year for festivals in 2012. The Olympics, the recession and the weather have created a perfect storm leaving many independent festivals struggling to survive. We feel it's a good idea to take the next year to look at different models and fresh ideas to bring the festival back for 2014 and beyond". 

TOTP show tour cancelled

A new stage show built around the 'Top Of The Pops' brand has been cancelled because of poor ticket sales. Producers hoped to create a generic pop tribute musical show, with singers and dancers reliving moments of the BBC's one time flagship pop programme, with audience members voting on their favourite songs. The stage show was officially sanctioned by the BBC but producer Derek Nicol said "Ticket sales have so far been disappointing and we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the tour. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and wish to reassure anyone who has purchased a ticket that they can obtain a full refund".

Another punk festival folds

A second UK punk festival has folded - just a couple of weeks after the last minute cancellation of the Last Jubilee in Bath. According to reports, Southsea's Punk By The Sea lasted just two days out of four before the PA Company and numerous bands pulled out. John Robb, author, founder member of The Membranes and frontman with Goldblade explained what happened on his LouderThanWar blog


"We were looking forward to playing Punk By The sea. We played it last year and it was a good day. The promoters are nice people if a bit naive in the ways of festival- last year this worked OK . this year it’s been a bit messy. The first warning was when the website suddenly said that bands were to be paid by cheque only. No-one got in touch to tell us this, it was just written on their website. Then we heard the (sound company providing the) PA had pulled out because of the same situation and then the Damned and other bands cancelled".

The event, held at South Parade Pier,  had been due to feature both Goldblade and the Damned along with a host of other bands including the UK Subs, Slaughter and the Dogs, Sham 69, The Rezillos and GBH.  It seems the festival "staggered on" for two days before being cancelled, and it appears that the festival only then continued after a local pub, the Milton Arms, hosted a impromptu 'DIY' show with the UK Subs, 999 and The Lurkers amongst others using a borrowed PA.  The organisers posted a statement on Facebook  saying the festival might not go ahead on the Saturday and Sunday because of cash flow problems and because of a lack of  experience of putting on such a huge event. The event Facebook page is now advising ticket holders to contact the purchase point to obtain a refund. The organisers' statement is here .

One furious fan commented "you've fucked off with our money, you thieving c**ts" and another pointed out that he was now over £185 out of pocket  (plus fuel) when added to the cost of the already cancelled Last Jubilee festival in Bath. 

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/anger-as-punk-by-the-sea-festival-is-cancelled-1-3963515

Rain stops SAW fun

The Stock, Aitken & Waterman celebration Hit Factory Live is the latest casualty of the 2012 UK festival season. Promoter Live Nation announced on the 10^th  July that the 11^th July show would not go ahead, due to adverse weather conditions and the poor state of London's Hyde Park after the UK’s rain drenched summer. Nation COO John Probyn told CMU: "The moment the Wireless Festival ended, we put in place a massive plan to prepare the site for tomorrow. Eight thousand cubic metres of wood chip is currently being put in place and over the past 24 hours crews have started to make the site safe for our customers. Despite best efforts time has beaten us, but I want to reassure that Hard Rock Calling concerts with Soundgarden, Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon, plus Madonna on 17 Jul and the BT London Live Opening Ceremony Celebration concert and the events will go ahead".

Bloc Weekender cut short

The first ever London edition of  dance music festival Bloc Weekend was closed early, with reports that the event's site, the new London Pleasure Gardens complex by the River Thames in East London, was dangerously overcrowded with large queues both the enter the site and for tents on site. At 12.30am a decision was made by organisers seemingly, on the advice of the the Metropolitan Police, to shut down the festival, even though headliner Snoop Dogg was yet to go on stage, and the event was due to run to 6am. It was later announced that the second day of the event was also cancelled.  The site was set up to open just in time for the Olympics, with support from both Newham Council and London mayor Boris Johnson, and is organised by the team behind Glastonbury's Shangri-La area and the site is set to host a wide range of cultural events both this summer and over the next three years, the next of which is the Africa Stage of the pre-Olympics River Of Music event, on 21 and 22 July.  Tickets were £99 or £125 for 'express' tickets with private bars and toilets and 'queue jumping' rights


UPDATES:  in a statement Bloc organisers have said they would welcome input from ticket-buyers as they investigate what happened on Friday. The statement read: "We wanted to reiterate that we have launched an investigation into the events of Friday night. To that end we have opened an email address to which we would like you to submit any information you think may be relevant. We are keen to hear from you so we can build the most accurate picture and report of what happened. As ever, you guys are at the heart of what we do so please drop us a line with any comments on bloc2012@baselogic.net".

CrowdSurge, the direct-to-fan ticketing company that powered ticket sales the Festival issued a statement distancing itself from the problems that occurred at the event. Whilst some web commentators have pointed out the sequential numbering on tickets meant that fans could easily duplicate counterfeit e-tickets, CrowdSurge notes that even if numerous people did arrive at the site with the same barcode, only one ticket-buyer would be able to get past the gates, because the company's scanners would only authenticate each barcode once. In its statement, CrowdSurge says: "The number of tickets sold for the event on Friday 6 Jul was 15,796 - a figure far short of the 18,000 capacity placed by the festival organisers and the 30,000 posted by London Pleasure Gardens. Throughout the process Baselogic controlled the amount of tickets sold and this was at the discretion of Baselogic, not CrowdSurge". It continues: "CrowdSurge were advised to 'shut down' scanners at 21.27pm on Friday 6 Jul 2012, whilst the queuing barriers were reorganised. At this point 8,000 people had been given access to the site. The entry gates were reopened and scanning and personal searches ceased as per the request of Baselogic and London Pleasure Gardens staff. At no point throughout the scanning process did the scanners cease to operate". CrowdSurge has confirmed that Baselogic handled all payments directly so customers will need to get refunds from the promoters (from CMU Daily, 11th July 2012).

For a damning opinion on a summer of rubbish British festivals, including the Stone Roses Heaton Park shows (which my good friend Alex told me was truly brilliant show wise but otherwise a disorganised pile of total crap including a long walk home back to Manchester at the end) see this blog http://sleeveonline.com/2012/07/07/from-heaton-park-to-bloc-the-trouble-with-the-modern-british-festival/

http://www.safeconcerts.com/news/2012/jul/7567-bloc-weekend-halted-in-its-tracks-due-to-serious-crowd-concerns.asp