Following on from the news that 50 Cent is heading to Australia, with his G-Unit DJ Whoo Kid revealing dates that line up rather snugly with those announced by urban music festival Supafest, there was speculation that organisers would announce Fiddy along with the rest of the lineup for its 2013 edition shortly after.
Though the lineup is still to be unveiled, organisers of Supafest 4 have instead revealed the ticketing prices and venue locations for the dates for 2013, which promises an ‘all-ages event with over 10 hours of live music’, that also happens to be going head-to-head in capital cities with Live Nation’s Nas-curated hip hop festival Movement, while also responding to fans’ awaiting refunds over Supafest 2012.
The all-ages Supafest 4 kicks off at Perth Arena on Anzac Day, before clashing with Live Nation’s Movement Festival in Sydney on the 26th April, Supafest taking place at ANZ Stadium, while across town the likes of Nas, Bliss N Eso, 2 Chainz, Chiddy Bang and more play Hordern Pavilion.
Supafest then rolls into Melbourne on April 17th at Flemington Racecourse as Movement takes over the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, then the two head for Brisbane the following day, at the RNA Showgrounds and Riverstage respectively.“For those awaiting refunds from Supafest 2012, we will be contacting you within the next 24hours via email with further information.” – Supafest
While their respective Perth dates are thankfully five days apart, there’s going to be a serious showdown between the two in attempting to grab similar shares of the market across the three dates. Given they’ve had a head start on ticket sales and a confirmed lineup, as well as the enormous power of global promoters Live Nation behind them, Movement Festivalis looking like the betting man’s choice to draw the punters.
While Movement, put together by Michael Coppel’s Live Nation Australia and Niche Productions, is a brand new entrant to the Australian festival market, it has managed to secure rap superstar Nas as the festival’s curator, handpicking a selection of local and international talent; a role Live Nation have contracted him for until 2015, demonstrating their long-term investment in setting up an Australian hip hop event.
Supafest by comparison, has a bit of a shonky track record, with promoters Paperchase Touring and Entertainment rolling ahead with their 2013 edition despite serious financial concerns. Administrators assess that creditors are owed in excess of $2 million from the company, while thousands of ticket holders from last year’s event are still awaiting refunds after a number of the headliners, such as P, Diddy, Missy Elliot and Rick Ross, were pulled off the lineup, according to the promoters ‘to cut costs’.
Organisers have addressed punters’ gripes with their lack of reimbusement over Supafest 2012, taking to their Facebook post to write: “For those awaiting refunds from Supafest 2012, we will be contacting you within the next 24hours via email with further information.”
Supafest promoters are keen to downplay controversial rumours surrounding the event, recently issuing a statement that reads: “Unless its on this Supafest Facebook page or the Supafest website it is considered to be a rumor and we will not be held responsible for public speculation.”It’s an ambitious prospect to turnaround a sell-out of ticket sales in just under two months, particularly when Supafest is directly competing with Movement Festival on three of its four dates.
“We appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm for the event, however we must once again stress we have no affiliation with anyone other than this Facebook site and the Supafest website,” add organisers.
A financial report from SmartCompany demonstrates that the shareholders and Paperchase Touring and Entertainment are forging ahead with this year’s edition despite the deficits that exceed $2 million, perhaps in an extended attempt to recoup costs, this year offering ticket prices from $115 for a proposed 10 hour long day of live music, while offering VIP passes in the $210 Bling Ring option.
Just who will fill out that 10 hours will be revealed tomorrow, according to Supafest’s Facebook page; “now you know WHEN, now you know WHERE, now you know how MUCH, soon you will know WHO!”
As previously reported, it’s likely that 50 Cent will be among the names for Supafest 4’s lineup, and its going to need an impressive bill of that calibre to guarantee a sell-out across four states, something that’s no doubt crucial to organisers given their less than healthy financial position.
It’s an ambitious prospect to turnaround a sell-out of ticket sales in just under two months, particularly when Supafest is directly competing with Movement Festival on three of its four dates. Other festivals that have attempted such short turnarounds have a proven track record of failing; whether through lacking organisation, infrastructure, or failing to deliver on the promise of over-reaching ambition and big-star lineups.
Most notably with Heatwave festival disintegrating before people’s eyes amidst financial struggles and going belly-up, while charity event One Great Night On Earth quietly folded before even announcing its “dream lineup” that they boasted would sell over 100,000 tickets in a few short months.
In summary, a lot hinges on tomorrow’s lineup announcement. Stay tuned.
Supafest Festival 2013 Dates & Tickets
Members Special Limited Pre-sale Tickets On Sale Monday 11th March Midday – Midnight (12hr Members Access)
General Public Special Limited Pre-sale Tickets On Sale from Tuesday 12th March Midday
Thursday, 25th April – Perth Arena
Tix: http://www.ticketek.com.au and http://www.supafest.com.au
Bling Ring $210 + booking fee + transport
General Reserved Seating $115 + booking fee + transport
Friday, 26th April – Sydney ANZ Stadium
Tix: http://www.ticketek.com.au and http://www.supafest.com.au
Bling Ring $210 + booking fee
General Admission $115 + booking fee
Saturday, 27th April – Melbourne Flemington Racecourse
Tix: http://www.ticketek.com.au and http://www.supafest.com.au
Bling Ring $210 + booking fee
General Admission $115 + booking fee
Sunday, 28th April – Brisbane RNA Showgrounds
Tix: http://www.ticketek.com.au and http://www.supafest.com.au
Bling Ring $210 + booking fee
General Admission $115 + booking fee
