YesFest, a huge Live Aid-style marriage equality music festival which was set to take place in Sydney later this month, has been cancelled.
The event was scheduled to go down at Spotless Stadium on Sunday, 29th October with performances from the likes of Client Liaison, Flight Facilities, Killing Heidi and Megan Washington, but poor ticket sales and issues with sponsorships have reportedly led organisers to pull out.
In a statement to Music Feeds, organisers say:
“YesFest was an ambitious project to pull off in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, we have decided to cancel the festival due to a number of unforeseen circumstances.
“The event was designed to encourage all Australians to return their YES vote, the support this received from young Aussies and artists shows that even without the event the call for YES has been heard.
“YesFest would like to thank everyone for their amazing support and passion – from the artists, the brands, the partners and the venues that have been so dedicated to the cause.
“There is a myriad of people who vehemently believe that the job is not done yet. And we will continue to work passionately to encourage people to vote YES and get Marriage Equality through Parliament.”
In a statement posted online, YesFest organiser Jonno Seidler says, “As it became clear that we were in real trouble over the last 72 hours, I have had recurring nightmares that I would end up being the guy who ran Australia’s Fyre Festival, or worse, Ben Wyatt’s Ice Town from Parks and Recreation, where one mistake haunts you for the rest of your professional life.”
YesFest was announced on 6th October, giving organisers a very tight turnaround for such a major music event to take place.
All proceeds from the concert were to go to the Equality campaign, and the show was also set to be broadcast live on YouTube. Ticket-holders are now being refunded.
YesFest had gained support from the likes of music legend Elton John, who provided a short video urging Aussies to vote ‘Yes’ in the same-sex marriage postal vote, which you can view below alongside the cancelled YesFest lineup.
UPDATE: There’s A New Marriage Equality Concert Going Down In Sydney
YesFest 2017 Lineup (CANCELLED)
Client Liaison
Flight Facilities (DJ set)
Heaps Gay DJs
Jack Colwell
Jimmy Barnes (Special Guest)
Kirin J Callinan
Killing Heidi
KLP
Megan Washington
Nick Cester
Northeast Party House
The Preatures
Tkay Maidza
Touch Sensitive
YesFest 2017
Sunday, 29th October — CANCELLED
Spotless Stadium, Sydney
Tickets: Official Website
