In a distressing turn of events, two music festivals straddling the shores of Australia and New Zealand have succumbed to the pressures of voluntary administration. The renowned Timeless Summer Tour, a highly anticipated debut that promised an ensemble of musical legends including Culture Club’s Boy George, the charismatic Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet fame, and the iconic Bonnie Tyler, was set to ignite stages across Australia this January. However, after an announcement last year, the event was “postponed” in December, and heartbreakingly, has now been confirmed to enter administration.
Not far behind, the New Zealand edition of the Juicy Fest, orchestrated by the same promoter as Timeless Summer, has also been axed. Juicy Fest, a vibrant celebration of R&B and hip hop that electrified audiences during its Australian stint in January, featured illustrious performances from the likes of Ludacris, Akon, Fat Joe, and Ray J. Despite its success down under, the New Zealand leg met an untimely end mere weeks before takeoff, forcing the organisers to make the heart-wrenching decision to cancel.
In a statement issued by the Juicy Fest team, they expressed: “After much deliberation, the decision to cancel the New Zealand show was exceedingly difficult. We’ll be initiating the refund process shortly. This cancellation pertains solely to Juicy Fest in New Zealand, with the Australian edition remaining unaffected.” However, in a twist of fate, the promoters later assured Rolling Stone AU/NZ that the Australian performance of Juicy Fest remains on track.
An email dispatched to the ticketholders of Timeless Summer Tour, which has been viewed by Rolling Stone AU/NZ, lamented the unfortunate turn of events. “We find ourselves in this disheartening position due to the loss of three venues earmarked for the New Zealand tour. Without the infrastructure provided by Juicy Fest NZ, the viability of these shows evaporated,” it proclaimed. “The tour could not simply proceed without those venues, as it was entangled in contractual obligations. The only recourse available was to postpone, which we have tirelessly attempted to reinstate, but alas, new dates that satisfy most artists have eluded us. Therefore, in the wake of substantial incurred expenses from this cancellation, we are regrettably compelled to place the Timeless Summer Tour into liquidation.” Such a revelation leaves a bitter taste, with organisers lamenting the adverse effects this decision visits upon everyone involved.
Meanwhile, the Juicy Fest NZ ticketholders received an explanation concerning the festival’s plunge into voluntary administration. “Juicy Fest has flourished in its first two operational years, captivating tens of thousands in New Zealand and injecting considerable revenue into the local economy while creating abundant work opportunities for over 500 contractors annually,” the organisers detailed.
However, hurdles arose when the liquor license for the Auckland events was denied. Despite efforts to secure a new venue, the option slipped through their fingers at the critical moment. The denial escalated into a health and safety dilemma, presenting an insurmountable challenge, as operating without alcohol was simply untenable. Consequently, the cancellation sent shockwaves of unexpected expenses through Juicy Fest NZ, leading inevitably to its voluntary liquidation.
The unfolding saga ignites a cascade of emotions within the live music realm, characterizing it as a stark reminder of the fragility of existence in the entertainment sphere. As fans, artists, and industry stakeholders alike grapple with the fallout, the hope lingers for a resilient revival.
