Blur pulls out of Big Day Out, blaming ‘shifting goalposts’ from organisers
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Version 0 of 1. Britpop band Blur – one of the main headliners at the Big Day Out, has pulled out of the festival just two months before kick off, citing “shifting goalposts and challenging conditions” from the festival organisers. Blur were set to appear at the nationwide festivals, and had top billing along with Arcade Fire and Pearl Jam. “Devastated to report that Blur won't be performing at BDO in 2014. It’s a shock that it has come to this,” read the band’s statement. “Only eight weeks to go, the band feels that with the constantly shifting goalposts and challenging conditions of the organisers, they can't let it drag on any longer and want to make this announcement, to be clear to Blur fans that they won't be there. We've done our very best to work with the organisers and considered every option to make it happen, but they’ve let us down and let everyone else down too.” Many fans were angry at the news, saying they only bought tickets to the festival to see Blur. Last week it was announced that Blur would not be doing any sideshows, making the Big Day Out the only chance for fans to catch the Britpop band. Arcade Fire and other acts from the lineup, including Snoop Dogg, Primus, Major Lazer and the Lumineers are performing extra shows during the tour. Festival organisers and promoters claim they’re at a loss to explain the cancellation, which came as a surprise to them. New Zealand promoter Campbell Smith said he had “no idea”. “As soon as I find out what happened and what will happen, I will advise,” Smith announced on Facebook. Australian promoter and recent Big Day Out investor AJ Maddah, said that as far as he was aware, the only request by Blur that was refused was to swap set times with Arcade Fire. “Far as I know, BDO gave into every demand within the possibility of curfews & public safety,” tweeted Maddah, adding later, “Not sure why they would blame festival when all everyone here has done is kiss their ass.” CEO of the Big Day Out, Adam Zammit, said they were looking for a replacement band, and have already ruled out Daft Punk. “Event is charging ahead despite Blur’s action. Announcement and statement soon,” he said. Fans who are not satisfied with the replacement band will be able to get a refund, according to the ticketing policy, which allows for people who no longer wish to attend if a “headline act of an event is changed”. The festival begins on 17 January in Auckland, New Zealand, before touring around major Australian cities. Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |