The Listen Out 2014 lineup has lost one of its international artists, less than four weeks out from the boutique dance music festival’s sophomore edition kicking off at Sydney’s Centennial Park.
A statement from festival promoters Fuzzy – who are also behind Field Day, Shore Thing, and Harbourlife – revealed the news in a brief statement on the Listen Out Facebook, confirming that US rapper YG will no longer be making the trip from his native California.
“Unfortunately YG has cancelled his Australian tour, so he won’t be appearing at Listen Out,” reads the statement, posted on Saturday.
The news follows the 24-year-old MC (real name Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson) pulling out of a scheduled gig at The Knitting Factory – a venue in Spokane, Washington, tweeting to his nearly 520,000 followers on Twitter: “The show today got pu$hed back. Due to all this fukkin work I gott goin on.”
Despite the cancellation, YG made his booked appearance at the Kanye West-headlined Made In America festival in Philadelphia on Saturday.
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YG’s Listen Out appearance was to be his first Australian appearance since releasing My Krazy Life, his DJ Mustard produced, 14-track debut studio album released in March, peaking at #2 on the Billboard 200.
Despite losing the hip hop icon, Listen Out organisers reveal that “in better lineup news, 2 more touring acts and a host of others will be announced over the next 2 weeks.” That includes the to-be-announced Triple J Unearthed winner.
Headlining the Listen Out 2014 lineup is Flume, alongside his musical BFF Chet Faker, joined by an impressive local pool of talent, including fellow beat-maker (and collaborator) Ta-Ku, young MC Tkay Maidza, Golden Features, and Yahtzel.
Fronting the international contingent is enigmatic dance producer Zhu (whose breakout single ‘Faded’ was used to soundtrack the Listen Out teaser video), along with Four Tet, Schoolboy Q, Shlohmo, Young Fathers, Bondax and a DJ Set from Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, all touring with the festival through Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, and Melbourne this September and October.
Listen Out Director John Wall has previously described Listen Out as “the alternative to complicated festivals it was intended to be: Instead of trying to please everyone a little bit, pleasing a smaller bunch of people the whole time.”
Wall wants Listen Out 2014 to “hold on to what was good about last year, and make it better.” That includes “tweaking the venues” to ensure more space for punters, “easier bar access, quicker entry, and louder sound wherever possible.”
Having sold out of first and second release tickets (priced at $99), third release passes priced at $130 (+b/f) are now on sale, along with the Listen Out 2014 VIP tickets.
Listen Out 2014 Lineup
Flume
Chet Faker
Zhu
Schoolboy Q
Four TetYG
Ta-Ku
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (DJ Set)
Shlohmo
Bondax
Yahtzel (DJ Set)
Young Fathers
Golden Features
Tkay Maidza
Triple J Unearthed Winner (TBA)
& more to be announced.
Listen Out 2014 Dates, Venues
Saturday 27th September – Centennial Park, Sydney
Sunday 28th September – Ozone Reserve, Perth
Saturday 4th October – Observatory Precinct, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
Sunday 5th October – The Avenues & Expo Place, Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane
Tickets on sale now at http://listen-out.com.au/
Third release tickets: $130 (+ b/f)
*VIP Tickets: $165 (+b/f)
VIP benefits include dedicated entrance, VIP area with cocktail bar, extra access to toilets, complimentary concierge, celebrity ping pong tournament with the Listen Out artists, Listen Out sample bag (2 drink tickets, souvenir lanyard, tote bag, gifts from sponsors).
Check out our full Listen Out 2013 coverage below.
Sydney: Review | Photos
Perth: Review | Photos
Melbourne: Photos
Brisbane: Photos
