Live music events in Australia| Times are a changing..

Just before the Christmas holidays Australia mourned the death of one of its biggest festivals  Soundwave ! The 2016  tour was confirmed to be the final Soundwave event, however 2 days later the tour was  actually being cancelled -citing lack of ticket sales was the reason. To say people were were pissed off is an understatement, the internet (as it’s known to do) were pretty harsh on the touring agents and company for failure to put on the event. You can read more here about what went down and why and formulate your own thoughts.

This piece of  proverbial coal in our stockings though, has started to take shape of a diamond. A handful of the bands come to the party and proved their being awesome.  Assuring followers and fans a visit the shores of Australia would in fact be happening, in the very near future.  Bullet For My Valentine, Bring Me The Horizon and Disturbed we salute you.

Though, heavy music fans need not have fretted for long.  Realising there was a very big space to fill within the market and scene, so Legion  was born. A new Festival was created, to give fans Australia wide their much anticipated and wanted music fix.  Spearheaded by John Sankey ( drummer from Devil You Know) the venture and event went to the people, with a crowdfunding campaign being created. Already $122, 000 has been released, and tour dates nationally have been announced. First release line and tour dates can be viewed  here.

If you were unlucky enough to have tickets to Soundwave and they’re telling you no refunds will be issued, stand to your guns and do not stand for it.  They never should have spent the advanced ticket money, on deposits or non refundable items. Legally, they have to return these moneys, so fight the good fright friends.

Read more about the ticketing process and the demise of big events here, from our very own CLS boss lady.

The continuing popularity and support for Triple J Unearthed means up and coming bands, remain to have the spotlight shone on them, with access to exposure, new fans and followers and a chance to perform at events.  We’re starting to favour more intimate and boutique events vs impersonal large scale stadium shows.

The rise of a new gen  of event planners, promoters, and music enthusiasts means  there’s a change  on the horizon for the music and events scene- watch this space. They’re set to make ripples across the nation, with change being inevitable. Technology, access to funding and information and peer driven campaigns and a sense of “community” is that’s paving the way. I think 2016 will be groundbreaking year for the industry, in that everything we thought we knew is changing and it’s likely very much for the better.

To pledge or find out more head to http://legionmusicfest.com/