The 2021 Deni Ute Muster is cancelled due to COVID

The Deni Ute Muster has been cancelled for the second consecutive year, due to the spiraling COVID-19 outbreak.

This year’s show was scheduled for Oct. 1-2, with the likes of Troy Cassar-Daley, Busby Marou, The McClymonts, and Darlinghurst on the bill.

“We have left making this decision for as long as possible, but the risks are continuing to escalate making it impossible to keep everyone safe,” reads a statement issued Thursday (Aug. 12).

“There is nothing we would like to do more than to party on the plains with you all. For this to happen in the future, we encourage everyone to get vaccinated so that lockdowns and travel restrictions become a thing of the past.”

Established in 1999, the New South Wales country music event rounds up almost 20,000 music fans in a typical year and generates some $100,000 in donations for local communities.

This is not a typical year.

With the state of NSW posting the unwanted record of 344 new COVID-19 cases, and cities and regions across the country under restrictions or hard lockdowns, hosting a multi-day party at the Deniliquin Festival Site was a tall order.

Organisers today announced new dates for Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2022, with artist line up, entertainment schedule and the date tickets information to be announced in due course.

Ticket holders for this year’s show can apply for a refund or hang onto their stubs for next time.

“Our hard-working team are as devastated as you must be, all of their hard work once again undone and taken from them,” the statement continues. “We are a team proud to be Australian, resilient and innovative and we will continue to organise a one-of-a-kind festival which captures the heart of all Australians.”

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.