Meadow music festival takes a break amid economic challenges

MEADOW has cancelled its 2024 music festival in Bambra, citing difficult economic conditions and reduced discretionary spending.

An update to their planning application filed with the Surf Coast Shire revealed the COVID-19 pandemic’s lasting effects have scuttled plans for the three-day event this year.

“The 2024 event will not be held due to ongoing financial impact of COVID on the economy and subsequent downturn in discretionary spending — in particular with relation to arts-based events,” the revised application stated.

By The Meadow is a boutique music and arts festival providing a platform for emerging Australian musicians.

The 2023 line-up boasted an array of talents including Kurt Vile & The Violators, Black Midi, Jen Cloher, and many others.

Organisers have requested to substitute the 2024 festival dates in their permit for new dates in 2025.

The festival hopes to return on either March 21-23, 2025 or March 28-30, 2025, according to the new permit proposal.

This hiatus is part of a wider trend of festival cancellations and lower attendance rates across the country, driven by economic pressures and rising costs.

In 2023, Queenscliff by the Pier cancelled their festival and refunded tickets, citing “rising costs, increased competition and lower than expected sales” as the cause.

Similarly, Falls Festival postponed their traditional New Year’s celebration to “rest, recover, and recalibrate”.

Elsewhere, Wangaratta’s Jazz and Blues festival was cancelled, and Hobart’s 2024 Dark Mona festival was also called off.