This That festivals in are axed as ‘challenging economic conditions’ kill it off
This That festivals in Queensland and Newcastle are being canceled as ‘challenging economic conditions’ outweigh this
This year’s This That festivals in Queensland and New South Wales have been canceled due to the cost of living crisis, despite surviving Covid and returning briefly in 2022.
The two events, on November 4 at Sandstone Point in Moreton Bay, South East QLD, and on November 11 in Newcastle, NSW, were confirmed on the festival website on Friday.
“It is with the depths of our hearts that we announce that This That Festivals will no longer be taking place,” a statement from the company said.
“This difficult decision was made due to the challenging economic conditions we have faced over the past year, and the many factors that have influenced them.
“It left us feeling that the This That experience you have come to know and love, and which we are proud to offer, would only be diminished if we continued.”
Gang of Youths, Porter Robinson and Peking Duk headlined the two weekend events with a further 17 support acts including a DJ set from The Presets.
This year’s This That festivals in Queensland and New South Wales have been canceled due to the cost of living crisis, despite surviving Covid and briefly returning in 2022 (pictured)
The decision to scrap the festivals comes just six weeks after tickets went on sale on August 3, with prices starting at $129.
Promoters say all ticket holders will receive an automatic refund from ticket partner Oztix in the coming days.
But many would-be festival-goers said they had already booked and paid for flights and accommodation.
“Who will refund our (accommodation),” read a comment under a social media post from the promoter confirming the cancellation.
“Can I get flight refunds from you too – this is a joke,” said another.
But others supported the decision.
“Sending the love,” read one comment.
“Huge loss for everyone involved,” said another supporter.
The two events, on November 4 at Sandstone Point in Moreton Bay, South East QLD, and on November 11 in Newcastle, NSW, were confirmed on the festival website on Friday.
The 2020 This That festivals were scrapped and the 2021 events postponed due to Covid pandemic and border closures, but they were finally staged successfully in February 2022.
However, the festivals planned for later that year were canceled again two months before the events.
Organizers also went on to blame “the current level of market saturation resulting in supply chain issues and labor shortages, difficult economic conditions including rising insurance premiums and infrastructure costs, and the forecast of continued extreme weather patterns.”
Earl Sweatshirt, Flight Facilities, Vera Blue, Skegss and more were part of the canceled 2022 lineup.