Soundwave 2014 kicks off tomorrow at Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds, but promoter AJ Maddah is “heartbroken” that Newsted won’t be performing.
In a shock announcement on Wednesday, Newsted – the titular heavy rock band of ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted – were one of two bands that pulled out of the Soundwave 2014 lineup at the 11th hour.
There was little explanation from the band over cancelling on their festival commitments – just 10 days after Megadeth‘s pull-out – with a statement simply noting the band “will not be appearing or performing live in February or March 2014.”
The cancellation came as a surprise to Soundwave boss AJ Maddah who was attempting to “figure out what is going on” after Newsted’s equipment turned up in Brisbane in anticipation of the festival, as he tweeted on Wednesday.
Holding out on altering the festival’s set times (which had already been revised several times over), Maddah took to twitter last night to confirm that Newsted would not be making their 11.30am slot – or the remainder of the festival.
I am heartbroken that @JasonCNewsted will not be joining us at #SW14 We both look forward to bringing you a headline tour later this year.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 20, 2014
Newsted’s position on the set times will instead allow for “10 minutes extra for Amon Amarth, Testament & Black Dahlia [Murder],” says Maddah. Updated Soundwave 2014 set times are expected to be announced later today.
“Jason Newsted is good as gold and a top guy,” tweeted the promoter in defence of the band’s last-minute decision; “he would not disappoint his fans unless it was an emergency.” Curiously adding in a follow-up post “We lost Megadeth because I stood by Newsted and now they cancelled.”
Newsted were originally scheduled to play Soundwave sideshows with Megadeth before they were unceremoniously booted from the bill “at the request” of Megadeth, according to a Soundwave statement; a charge that frontman (and friend of Jason Newsted) Dave Mustaine denied, saying their requests were “ignored” before officially pulling out of the festival and demanding a personal apology from Maddah.
Something that the Soundwave boss tells a fan was the “most bizarre thing ever!” Noting that Mustaine “approved press release, artwork, line-up then 10 days later wanted him (Newsted) removed.”
Newsted and Megadeth are among a total of seven bands that have pulled out of the 90+ strong Soundwave 2014 lineup, the latest being Swedish metal band Hardcore Superstar (dropped after threatening to cancel) and Desaparecidos (due to “an issue of a personal nature” related to frontman Conor Oberst), following on from cancellations from Whitechapel, Stone Temple Pilots, and Sevendust.
The multiple cancellations echo the dramas that surrounded last year’s Soundwave, characterised by an almost comical trend of musicians and bands pulling out of the event at the 11th hour. But that “seems like the good old days compares[sic] to this year!” Maddah remarked after a fan on twitter pointed out the similarities to the promoter.
In fact, Maddah has described this year’s festival as “a total nightmare,” likely embittered by the multiple cancellations, issues with the revision to the “unacceptable” timetables, bands’ “pissing contests“, and ongoing battles with Perth’s Claremont Council.
@BrootalTroodes it’s a struggle every year. This year has been a total nightmare.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 19, 2014
Maddah has already indicated that he’s intending to ease his struggles next year by scaling back the annual national touring festival to an “East Coast only” event, hinting that this year’s Perth Soundwave at Arena Joondalup could be the event’s first and last at the new site. “We’re looking at 4 cities,” Maddah recently tweeted of plans for Soundwave 2015 – “I count Adelaide as East Coast”.
Those plans may include a hop across the pond; after a fan said Soundwave should consider hitting New Zealand, Maddah replied: “I loved what I saw at [Big Day Out] this year. Excited fans, supportive media and Government… Would love to if we can make it work.”
Soundwave 2014 Dates, Tickets
Saturday 22nd February – Brisbane, RNA Showgrounds
Sunday 23rd February – Sydney, Olympic Park
Friday 28th February – Melbourne, Flemington Racecourse
Saturday 1st March – Adelaide, Bonython Park
Monday 3rd March – Perth, Arena Joondalup
Tickets on sale via: soundwavefestival.com, oztix.com.au & other outlets
