Echo Festival 2016 Cancelled

Slow ticket sales have forced the cancellation of the inaugural Echo Festival. The beleaguered two-day event, which was originally named McLaren Valley Festival and set to be held in the Bay of Plenty before moving to Auckland's Vector Arena due to residents' concerns, was scheduled to take place in January. The line-up was to include major international acts The Flaming Lips, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Disclosure, Jamie XX, Mac DeMarco, Courtney Barnett and more alongside top local acts.

In a statement released this afternoon, festival director Paxton Talbot said the cancellation has come after much consideration of all options. “Despite this world class line-up of artists, and a strong promotional campaign and apparent public support, the event simply hasn't had sufficient ticket sales to date to make the festival viable," he said. "We have today made the hugely difficult decision to cancel the event. It would not be fair on the bands, the suppliers or the audience if we were to continue pursuing the project."

See below for refund information

PRESS RELEASE:

Echo Festival Cancelled

Slow ticket sales have now led to the cancellation of two-day music event Echo Festival.

The festival was due to take place at Auckland’s Vector Arena and surrounds on Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 January with a line-up featuring major international acts including Disclosure, The Flaming Lips, Jamie xx, Courtney Barnett, Mac DeMarco, Alison Wonderland and Kurt Vile.

Echo Festival replaced McLaren Valley Music and Arts Festival which was scheduled to take place at McLaren Falls Park, Bay of Plenty. The move to Auckland was made after negotiations with residents in the area failed to resolve a number of outstanding concerns.

Echo was to feature a line-up curated from the reaches of pop, rock, folk, electronica, psychedelia, blues, hip-hop, Americana, alternative and more, with more than 35 artists on the bill.

Festival director Paxton Talbot said the cancellation has come after much consideration of all options. “Despite this world class line-up of artists, and a strong promotional campaign and apparent public support, the event simply hasn't had sufficient ticket sales to date to make the festival viable, we have today made the hugely difficult decision to cancel the event. It would not be fair on the bands, the suppliers or the audience if we were to continue pursuing the project."

Mr Talbot thanks the many people who have worked behind the scenes, a tireless staff of professionals, volunteers and sheer music and festival lovers, in an effort to make the festival a success both in the Bay of Plenty and in Auckland.

Full refunds will be made to all ticketholders. Please allow up to 21 days for refunds to be processed. Visit www.echofestival.co.nz for all refund information.