Uncertainty surrounds upcoming Pandemonium Rocks festival

Confusion is surrounding the staging of the upcoming Pandemonium Rocks festival - due to be held at four locations across the country at the end of April - following media reports that it was to be cancelled.

Concerns commenced when Nine News reported yesterday evening (21st March) claiming that the festival had been canned.

The report would appear to have been based on speculation about poor ticket sales following some of the festival’s followers having discussed concerns when organisers offered two-for-one deals on St Patrick’s Day and Valentine’s Day.

With other media outlets jumping on, and re-reporting, the claim, Pandemonium promoters responded on social media, advising “NO, Pandemonium is not cancelled(.)

“We’re still selling tickets … only take your Pandemonium news from us! Don’t take your Pandemonium news from unverified reports!”

The festival later turned the comments off on that post, explaining in a follow-up statement “due to reckless reporting, and the wilful proliferation of misinformation, rumours and conspiracy surrounding the festival, we are turning comments off on our social media (for now).

“Putting on a multi-city festival of this scale and calibre is no small feat, and the Pandemonium festival team has spent months putting their blood sweat and tears into creating a truly once in a lifetime experience that reaffirms Australia as a top tier music destination on the international tour schedule, in what is an incredibly difficult market.”

Being held for the firs time, the Pandemonium festival will be held next month at Melbourne’s Caribbean Gardens, Sydney’s Cathy Freeman Park in the Olympic Park Precinct, the Gold Coast’s Doug Jennings Park, and Bribie Island’s Sandstone Point Hotel.

The line-up features international rock, alternative, punk and heavy metal superstars, including Alice Cooper, Blondie, Placebo, Deep Purple, Wheatus, Psychedelic Furs, Dead Kennedys, Gang Of Four, Palaye Royale, and newcomer Petch.

Bands will perform across two stages from around midday in all locations.

In January, Pandemonium was struck with controversy, with the Sydney leg of the festival occurring on ANZAC Day.

Originally set to be held at The Domain, it was forced to move locations after Returned Service League (RSL) NSW President Mick Bainbridge expressed concerns about the event being held close to ANZAC Day commemorations.