Australian artist Tones and I has called on Australians to support local artists “now more than ever”, following the shocking cancellation of music festival Splendour In The Grass (SITG).
The festival, usually held annually in Byron Bay by music company Secret Sounds, announced the three-day event will be “taking a year off” due to “unexpected events”.
In a statement, co-CEOs of Secret Sounds Jessic Ducrou and Paul Piticco said it was a difficult decision to make.
“We’re heartbroken to be missing a year, especially after more than two decades in operation,” the statement read.
“This festival has always been a huge community effort, and we’d like to thank everyone for their support and overall faith. We hope to be back in the future.”
SITG’s cancellation is the latest of a string of local music festivals which could not go ahead, including Groovin The Moo, Falls Festival, Vintage Vibes and several others.
The SITG festival boasted a star-studded lineup of local and international artists for the event, including Kylie Minogue, G Flip and more.
Tones and I was due to perform on the second day of SITG. Following the announcement of the cancellation, she uploaded a story on Instagram sharing her disappointment.
“It’s pretty sad,” the Melbourne-born artist said.
“I think that it’s important now more than ever to buy tickets to your favourite bands, go to live shows, go to festivals, even if you just love the atmosphere, because these guys aren’t coming back. Some of these festivals can’t and they need that support.”
The live music sector in Australia is a core part of the nation’s economy; research shows Australia’s live music contributed roughly $5.7 billion to the economy in industry value last year.
But local artists are struggling to compete with international superstars and are not getting the same attention and economic return as them. Last month, when global pop star Taylor Swift performed seven shows in Australia, her Eras World Tour boosted Melbourne’s spending by $174 million in just one weekend.
Tones and I said Australians should be giving back to artists at home.
“I understand that everyone gets so excited when overseas artists come over, and that’s really exciting, but soon we’re really not gonna have any festivals left, which is not only gonna deter overseas acts from coming over, but it’s really gonna hinder the up and coming Australian live music scene,” Tones and I said.
“So do your best to support local artists and local festivals in our own country if you can.”
In the Senate yesterday, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young also made a point of how important Australia’s live music scene is – not just for the arts in general, but also economically for the country.
“Arts and music is such an important part of what makes life great. It also is an important part of our economy,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“Thousand of people because of today’s decision to cancel Splendour In The Grass will be out of work. Thousands of people will be scratching around thinking how they’re going to pay their bills as artists who are involved in this festival, or hospitality workers who keep the festival going.
“The festivals and the musicians were these for us during the bushfires, they were there during the floods, they copped the brunt during covid, and it’s time we gave them a hand now.”
One of Australia’s biggest pop stars Kylie Minogue was set to headline SITG, performing on Day 1 of the festival.
The two-time Grammy award winner commented on SITG’s statement regarding the cancelation of the event.
“SITG, this must have been a difficult decision,” Minogue wrote.
“I was so looking forward to being there and all of us having the best time. Oz, I’m looking forward, now more than ever, to be home and playing shows for you.”
Minogue also edited her original Instagram post, announcing her headline act at SITG, saying she was “so sorry” about the cancelled festival.