Yesterday, April 1st 2015 Future Music Festival has announced that it will not be returning in 2016. The long-running national festival – which first began in 2006 – broke the news to fans on their Facebook page this afternoon that this was their last year.
“We’re very sad to say that we’ve decided 2015 was the last year for Future Music Festival,” organisers wrote. “It’s been a difficult decision to make but in the end travelling the festival in its current form across Australia simply doesn’t make financial sense anymore. We want to thank you all for your support over the years – we’re grateful for all the unforgettable times we’ve shared together.”
FMF’s 2015 edition boasted the first Australian tour from Drake, plus sets from The Prodigy, Avicii, Die Antwoord and Seth Troxler. Over its lifespan, Future has brought out everyone from Deadmau5 to Eric Prydz and Porter Robinson to Booka Shade.
The Mushroom Group – who bought Future Music Festival in 2013 – said in a press release that the cancellation was down to poor ticket sales. “Mushroom Group share the belief expressed by a number of promoters globally that the day of the large scale travelling festival in its current form is unfortunately numbered,” they wrote.
“The decision to discontinue Future Music Festival was not made lightly,” Mushroom Group owner Michael Gudinski said of the cancellation. “A point came though where it simply no longer made sense to continue. We believe in the festival industry in Australia and plan to announce an exciting new festival concept in the coming months.”
Mushroom confirmed that they will continue to promote Day On The Green festival, boutique music festival Sugar Mountain and Future’s under 18 music event Good Life. Mushroom also confirmed they are developing a new festival concept, which is planned for the same time period previously held by Future Music Festival.