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Pedestrian.tv
National
Rhea Nath

The Greens Call For Urgent Reforms In The Wake Of Splendour’s 2025 News

stormzy performing at a music festival

While we still recover from the fact that Splendour in the Grass won’t be making a comeback in 2025 (sigh) it looks like someone is addressing the dire state of Australia’s live music and arts scene.

In a statement on Friday, the Greens have come out in support of urgent reform to revive festivals and avert another string of cancellations this year. 

“Today, music fans and the arts sector are reeling to hear Splendour is cancelled for another year. We can’t afford another year of festival cancellations in the cost of living crisis,” said Sarah Hanson-Young, the Greens’ arts spokesperson and Senator for South Australia. 

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs perform on stage during Splendour in the Grass 2023. (Source: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)

And you best believe Hanson-Young’s comments are echoing a growing sense of frustration, as more and more festivals struggle to survive in the current economic climate amid rising costs and previous fallout from the pandemic.

The Greens are now calling on the government to step in to keep the industry afloat, through a support package borne from reforms in areas like funding, tax, and insurance. 

According to Hanson-Young, the Australian festival landscape is only going to get worse until the government does something about it.

“We’ve seen this sad movie before and it’s a warning to policy makers that unless we see reform that can actually revive the live music sector, 2025 could be another wipeout year of festival cancellations,” she said.

The Green’s call highlights the broader impact of these events beyond just entertainment and a good time — because thousands of workers also rely on festivals for their livelihoods.

“Festivals are about more than just supporting great Australian artists, creating lifelong memories and giving euphoric vibes — thousands of creative workers are employed in the arts sector. Thousands more are employed in the small businesses that rely on the ‘arts-tourism’ factor, particularly in regional Australia,” Hanson-Young said.

Another year of cancellations, she warned, could leave lasting scars, especially when so many are already feeling the financial strain of the cost-of-living crisis.

“We need to look at funding, tax, and insurance reforms, and the Greens stand ready to work with the Government to deliver a package that can stem the cancellations and allow new and independent operations to flourish,” Hanson-Young said.

“Splendour is one of Australia’s most beloved festivals and there will be a lot of fans, musicians and arts workers coming down today upon hearing this news.”

Crowds at Splendour in the Grass 2023. (Source: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)

This cancellation is the second in a row for the Byron Bay festival, which was set to feature massive acts like Kylie Minogue, G Flip, and Tash Sultana for 2024. The lineup had fans buzzing, only for the rug to be pulled out yet again. 

And judging by their Instagram comments section, it looks like many are starting to lose hope of its return.

“Stop lying @splendourinthegrass you’re never coming back,” wrote one pessimistic festival-goer.

“It’s over, it’s gone. RIP Splendour, 2001-2023,” another user remarked.

Of course, there’s also a few souls keeping the faith alive, with one person writing: “Keep grinding away behind the scenes, 2026 will be the year Aussie music festivals make the comeback.”

Another suggested “good things come to those who wait”.

We’re just hoping the festival gods will be kind to us in 2025. 

Lead image: Naomi Rahim/ Getty Images

The post The Greens Call For Urgent Reforms In The Wake Of Splendour’s 2025 News appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .

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