Following on from the not unexpected cancellation of Soundwave 2016, comes even more shocking news that could be disastrous for ticket holders.
As Tone Deaf reported earlier today, the ticketing company for Soundwave 2016, Eventopia, had been advancing money from ticket sales to the festival.
Soundwave had been using that money in order to pay band and contractor deposits, and other operating expenses leading up to the festival.
Following a decision by Eventopia not to continue advancing money to Soundwave, AJ Maddah decided to pull the pin on the struggling music festival.
Maddah said at the time that ticket holders will be refunded, but will need to speak to Eventopia and that refunds may take some time.
But in a shock and potentially unprecendted move, Eventopia have now revealed that they will not be refunding ticket holders.
“Eventopia was appointed as the ticket sales agent for the Soundwave Festival to be held in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in January 2016,” a statement provided read.
“Throughout the onsale period, Eventopia complied with all of its obligations under its ticketing services agreement with the Soundwave Festival Promoter, Hounds of Hell Pty Ltd.”
“In line with our ticketing sales agreement, the Festival Promoter is responsible for all ticketing funds that were advanced, and is directly liable to all ticket purchasers for issuing customer refunds.”
“Customers should contact the Promoter of the Festival directly to request their ticket refund in full using the contact details supplied below.”
“Eventopia will keep all Soundwave Festival customers informed of the progress of the situation as more information becomes available.”
Eventopia have provided a generic email address – [email protected] – for ticket holders to email in order to try and get a refund.
How successful they will be is anyones guess. If the ticket money that was advanced was indeed used to pay band deposits, this money will be non-refundable.
Which begs the question, will Soundwave be able to find the money to refund the loyal fans who purchased tickets?
Or will they be left out of pocket like the creditors caught in the $26 million collapse of Soundwave Festival Pty Ltd earlier this year?
Only time will tell.
