Caloundra Music Festival (CMF) has joined the growing list of cancelled Australian music festivals this year.

Sunshine Coast Council blames rising living and operating costs, but says the event will be back next year.

CMF has seen major headliners such as Powderfinger, Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, John Butler Trio, Jimmy Barnes, Empire of the Sun, The Cat Empire, Jet, The Temper Trap.

International artists have included Michael Franti and Arrested Development.

Punters urged to continue supporting live music

Festival Director Richie Eyles says CMF, which won Festival of the Year at Queensland Music Awards (People’s Choice), has given hundreds of local performers a leg-up into the festival scene. 

“The Coast has such a vibrant music community and the loss of CMF, alongside other events in 2024, like Groovin the Moo, will be felt deeply,” Mr Eyles says.

“I encourage people to support other festivals, venues and artists by purchasing tickets often and early.

“The 2024 Queensland Music Awards have again highlighted champions of rural touring, with two of the top three Regional Venues nominated for the People’s Choice award being King’s Beach Tavern and Solbar at Maroochydore.”

Operational and living costs to blame

The Australian Government’s principal arts investment and advisory body, Creative Australia, cites operational costs as the most significant barrier to running a music festival in the country.

Like several others, including Groovin’ The Moo, the festivals are struggling to cope with costs such as; infrastructure, production, security, policing, transport and accommodation.

The impact of higher interest rates, rent, fuel, power, and food costs, meant punters have less disposable income for tickets.

Sunshine Coast Council last year approved the CMF to run for three more years, until 2025.

It’s hoped the two remaining festivals can play on, and the new Council will make a decision in coming months.

Festivals in a ‘precarious position’

Councillor Terry Landsberg says the event provides considerable economic benefit, injecting more than $4 million into the region each year.

“The increasing expenditure required to deliver a safe and entertaining event while trying to keep tickets prices reasonable puts festivals like this in a precarious position,” Cr Landsberg says. 

“We needed to make a decision early in the planning process to avoid the potential of costly cancellation fees.

“This is a real loss for our local event industry, and local businesses that have supported or benefited from this event for so many years.

“Hopefully, conditions will improve, and it can get back on its feet.”

Tickets are on sale for the Maleny Music Festivaland the Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival.

Fast facts:

• The Caloundra Music Festival has been held since 2007, missing one year in 2020 due to COVID.
• There have been no ticket pre-sales for CMF 2024, so no refunds are required.
• The 2024 Artists Expression of Interest period had not been opened, and artists have not been locked in.