In a disappointing turn of events for music fans, the Souled Out festival has officially canceled its planned 2025 events, which were set to take place in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. The R&B-focused festival was scheduled to kick off at Caribbean Park in Melbourne on February 22.
In an announcement on Instagram, organizers revealed that the festival “did not reach the level of support needed to remain financially viable,” leading to the cancellation. The lineup had promised to feature American artists such as Jhené Aiko, Don Toliver, Vince Staples, and 6lack, all of whom command significant followings in the hip-hop and R&B scenes.
Co-founder Emal Naim had expressed optimism about the festival’s potential when the lineup was revealed in December 2024, citing the success of the previous year’s event, which included headliners like Summer Walker and PartyNextDoor. “The success of Souled Out 2024 showed Australians were craving for a modern R&B festival,” he stated, indicating a strong belief in the festival’s future.
Despite the enthusiasm, the festival’s plans for 2025 included early-bird tickets for Perth and Auckland events, though specific dates and venues were never announced. The cancellation of Souled Out adds to a troubling trend in the Australian festival landscape, which has seen major events like Splendour In The Grass and Groovin The Moo also called off for the second consecutive year.
The festival’s statement acknowledged the ongoing challenges facing the market, reflecting a broader issue within the industry. A report from Creative Australia found that over one-third of music festivals were operating at a loss, with only 56 percent proving profitable in the 2022-23 period. The report also highlighted a shift in audience demographics, indicating that young attendees are no longer the primary market for these events.
For those who purchased tickets, refunds will be processed automatically by Oztix within the next 14 days. Meanwhile, Souled Out Pty Ltd is facing legal challenges, having been named in a Supreme Court matter by EventCo Group Pty Ltd., which provided site and production management for the 2024 events. The case has been adjourned, with a new date yet to be confirmed.
+ There are no comments
Add yours