It’s official: the Caloundra Music Festival will not be returning next year.
Sunshine Coast Council announced the festival will no longer be funded by taxpayers citing rising costs.
The annual community festival debuted in 2007 and evolved every year, supporting local musicians and bringing millions in revenue to nearby businesses.
In a media release today, Council blamed COVID-19 for pausing the festival in 2020, saying “rising operating costs and slower ticket sales due to climbing cost-of-living pressures” forced its cancellation this year.
It states that following the adoption of the 2024-25 Council Budget on June 20, Council made the decision to give it the axe.
It joins a growing list of major music events across the country, such as Groovin The Moo, which have been affected by similar challenges.
The statement says “patrons are choosing to support major artist tours and more curated programs with genre-specific line-ups”.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli says it was a “very difficult decision” for Council.
“Rising costs, falling ticket sales and uncertainty in the music festival industry were felt to be too great a risk in the current climate,” Mayor Natoli says.
“We recognise that music events are important for our community and Council will continue to deliver smaller events and programs.
“We will also continue to support community events through our Community Grants Program as well as larger scale event operators through our Major Event Sponsorship Program.”
Division 2 Councillor Terry Landsberg thanked the hundreds of volunteers who had made this festival possible over many years.
“I urge you to support other events, like the upcoming Big Pineapple Music Festival and Council’s 10-day multi-arts Horizon Festival which will be held May 2-11 next year, coinciding with the 2025 Labour Day Public Holiday,” Cr Landsberg says.
“I know the artists and patrons will be greatly disappointed and I encourage festival fans to support other festivals, venues and artists by purchasing tickets often and early.”
Creative Australia, the Australian Government’s principal arts investment and advisory body, released a report on April 9, 2024, listing rising operational costs as the most significant barrier to running a music festival (Home – Creative Australia).
Photo: Richard Musumeci
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