Jenna McDougall and Whakaio Taahi from Sydney rock outfit Tonight Alive have told Music Feeds they are “sad” about Soundwave’s demise but are hopeful that Aussie music lovers will help fill the “new opening” created by the festival’s cancellation.
Speaking with Music Feeds reporter Emmy Mack at this year’s UNIFY Gathering in South Gippsland, McDougall and Taahi say that while there were many signs Soundwave was coming to an end, its death hasn’t been easy on the band.
“To be honest, it’s so sad, because that’s where we saw so much music when we were in school, and then it became a full-circle situation for us,” McDougall says.
“It must be time for something new, that’s why it expired, that’s why a new opening has been created and I think there’s enough good music in the world and in our country to carry the torch with something new.”
Posting to Instagram this morning, McDougall added, “The Unify culture is going to change music in this country.”
Tonight Alive played Soundwave’s main stage in 2015, and the Brisbane leg of the festival famously saw McDougall save a fan who “just wanted a high five” from being choked by security.
Since Soundwave 2015, documents obtained by Music Feeds from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) show that Tonight Alive were owed $38,500.00 by the festival, and it’s not publicly known if that money has been paid yet.
Catch Tonight Alive’s Soundwave reflections in the video below, and head to their full UNIFY Gathering interview to see them discuss their upcoming album and showcasing new material at their first show of 2016.
Watch: Tonight Alive Reflect On Soundwave’s 2016 Cancellation
https://youtu.be/3eGM3zxQCxg
