If you have been anywhere near music media in the past day or so no doubt your newsfeed and been flooded with rumours and speculation surrounding the upcoming Soundwave Festival 2016.
We can now tell you that it is officially cancelled as confirmed by Soundwave boss AJ Maddah’s much visited Twitter page, who has stated:
I am devastated to have to announce the cancellation of Soundwave 16 due to poor ticket sales. I am very sorry. I tried my best. #SW16
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) December 17, 2015
Thank you to all the fans, bands and people who supported the event for the last 12 years. i wish we could have ended it on a better note.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) December 17, 2015
.@zacdoyle Tried very hard to get RATM back together. It didn't work out.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) December 17, 2015
.@millymolly11 Refunds from point of purchase. It may take a little time be patient an wait fro contact from Eventopia.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) December 17, 2015
This comes in light of recent statements by AJ that the metal juggernaut would not be returning in 2017 and confusion over the ‘are they aren’t they’ booking situation with festival headliners Bring Me The Horizon, who were actually announced nearly two months ago when the first lineup dropped.
Between mixed and vocal reactions to line up announcements, booking confusion and ongoing ticketing issues (as you can see on the event Facebook page) it’s really not surprising festival boss AJ Maddah is ready to give it a rest.
If you go back through Soundwave’s history, it is indeed a veritable who’s who of metal and rock royalty with Metallica, Slayer, Green Day, Linkin Park, Blink-182, Slipknot, Faith No More, Iron Maiden, Nine Inch Nails, and more.
So what exactly would a man like AJ Maddah who’s been promoting gigs almost his whole life turn to next? Guess you’ll have to stay locked to Twitter to find out.