The Great Escape Festival held at Newington Armory in early October - despite a good
first line-up announcement and and even better
second - has been cancelled.
Organisers say that poor ticket sales have "left festival organisers with no option but to cancel the event." The festival is/was still two months away, but with events like Splendour, BDO, Meredith, Laneway and their ilk recently selling out in the first day or so, perhaps such a wait was a bad omen. Too much, not especially radio-friendly/good, music booked perhaps?
The announcement continues: "We’d also like to whole heartedly apologise to the bands, artists, agents, managers, suppliers, sponsors, media supporters and festival goers that have been let down by our decision. The decision to cancel has not been an easy one for the team behind the event."
No doubt. Sideshows will go on for all the headliners, including Black Francis, Conor Oberst, Mt. Eerie, Supergrass, Ladytron, Joan as Policewoman, The Futureheads, We Are Scientists, The New Pornographers and Yeasayer.
Refunds are available at the point of purchase. No word on what this means for the future of the event overall.