The East End festival organisers have officially axed the 2024 event, a day after the Premier said they were “really struggling” and no line-up had been announced.
Harvest Rock organisers took to social media to announce its cancellation on Friday afternoon.
A spokesperson for Live Nation, who owns a majority stake in Secret Sounds said “this decision was made to ensure that Harvest Rock continues to deliver the experience that our local, national and international fans have come to know and love into the future”.
The post did not give a reason for the cancellation, simply saying organisers had been “working hard to make Harvest Rock III another incredible event” but have made the “difficult decision to not hold the festival in 2024”.
The spokesperson said anyone who bought tickets in 2023 for the 2024 event will be automatically refunded within two weeks.
This makes Harvest Rock the fourth festival run by Secret Sounds that has been cancelled so far this year, joining Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival and Spilt Milk.
Other South Australian festivals that have pulled the plug include Vintage Vibes and Groovin’ the Moo, due to economic challenges and lack of ticket sales.
Tourism minister, Zoe Bettison, said it was “disappointing” that the event will not go ahead in 2024.
Subscribe for updates
“At the same time we know that festivals are experiencing many challenges, not just here in Australia, but globally,” she said.
Bettison said she was “open to them coming back” and “supporting the event” in the future.
“The State Government has a contract with the event organisers and taxpayers won’t be out of pocket as a result of the cancellation of the 2024 event,” Bettison said.
Harvest Rock 2024 was scheduled for October 12 and 13. In March, the Adelaide City Council approved closing Bartels Road for the festival to take place across Rymill and King Rodney Parks.