COVID-19 forces cancellation of Splendour In The City

Sydney’s scheduled Splendour In The Grass spin-off, Splendour In The City, has been forced to pull the pin as the city grapples with lockdown and uncertainties around COVID-19.

The pop-up event was billed as a scaled-down version of the popular Byron Bay Festival which itself has faced multiple delays and roadblocks due to COVID-19 and its associated restrictions and lockdowns.

Currently, the Sydney lockdowns are scheduled to end on July 9, however there is no certainty around what event capacities will look like at this time or what travel restrictions will remain in place. There is also the possibility lockdown could be extended.

The event was going to run from Saturday July 10, through to Sunday, July 18 and feature local favourites such as Spacey Jane, Tash Sultana and Ziggy Ramo. Other initiatives included long-table dining, specialty bars, art installations, markets, children’s activities, comedy shows and a VR pop-up room.

The festival said given the level of uncertainty, it was impossible to progress with plans to move artists and staff around the country.

“With uncertainty around venue and artist availability in coming months, and IRL Splendour In The Grass scheduled for November, organisers made the difficult decision to cancel Splendour in the City rather than postpone it,” organisers explained.

Co-CEO of Secret Sounds, Jessica Ducrou, said people’s ongoing support was much appreciated.

“This is a heartbreaking situation for all of the crew, suppliers and artists that were working hard to deliver this event for Sydney. Splendour in the City was set to provide much needed income for our live music industry which has been devastated since March 2020. We want to thank all of the music lovers out there who purchased tickets,” she added.

Moshtix has started processing refunds for Splendour In The City today.

The event organisers emphasised that despite the ongoing challenges, its virtual event, Splendour XR, is 100% COVID-proof and will go ahead as planned on Saturday July 24 and 25.

The full cancellation announcement is below:

It is with a heavy heart that Splendour in the Grass today announces the cancellation of its Sydney pop up event, Splendour in the City.

With Greater Sydney currently in lockdown until 9 July and Covid outbreaks now evolving in other States, it has become impossible to progress with plans to move artists and staff around the country, and also to build the event in Sydney. Organisers also acknowledge the health and safety of staff, volunteers and ticketholders is the foremost consideration in line with the health advice from authorities.

Splendour in the City was developed, in partnership with the NSW Government and Destination NSW as part of the Government’s CBD revitalisation plan. It was also to accompany and celebrate the world-first extended reality event Splendour XR which will take Splendour in the Grass global across the weekend of Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July.

With uncertainty around venue and artist availability in coming months, and IRL Splendour In The Grass scheduled for November, organisers made the difficult decision to cancel Splendour in the City rather than postpone it.

The good news is that Splendour XR is 100% Covid proof and will go ahead as planned on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July, check it out & get your party on!

“This is a heartbreaking situation for all of the crew, suppliers and artists that were working hard to deliver this event for Sydney. Splendour in the City was set to provide much needed income for our live music industry which has been devastated since March 2020. We want to thank all of the music lovers out there who purchased tickets. Your ongoing support is very much appreciated.” said Jessica Ducrou, Co-CEO Secret Sounds.

Moshtix will begin processing refunds for all Splendour in the City shows from tomorrow, Tuesday 29 June. All purchasers will receive information from Moshtix directly. Due to the large amount of refunds to be processed, please be patient and refrain from contacting Moshtix. They will be in touch if there are any issues refunding your order. Please note that Moshtix will only be able to communicate with the original purchaser, not all individual ticket holders i.e. if a mate purchased your ticket for you, they will be contacted by Moshtix directly.