Pandemonium Festival is going ahead, say organisers

PROMOTERS of the Pandemonium Rocks touring festival next month say it is going ahead.

Channel Nine news reported on Thursday night the festival, which visits Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Bribie Islands with sideshows in Newcastle, had been cancelled even though tickets were still on sale.

It has been removed from the touring dates listed on Deep Purple’s website but the organisers posted the following message on social media: “Yes, we saw the news reports. No, Pandemium is not cancelled.

“We’re still selling tickets… Only take your Pandemonium news from us!

“Don’t take your Pandemonium news from unverified reports.”

In a later statement, Apex Entertainment said: “Due to reckless reporting, and the wilful proliferation of misinformation, rumours and conspiracy surrounding the festival, we are turning comments off on our social media (for now).

“Putting on a multi-city festival of this scale and calibre is no small feat, and the Pandemonium festival team has spent months putting their blood sweat and tears into creating a truly once in a lifetime experience that reaffirms Australia as a top tier music destination on the international tour schedule, in what is an incredibly difficult market.

“It is our responsibility to our team, our artists and most importantly, the fans, to provide the best event we can in the safest way possible, and we do not take this responsibility lightly. As we have seen in the last few months, Australian music festivals are an increasingly rare breed, so we will not tolerate abuse, gossip and rumour to be traded as fact, especially when so many livelihoods are at stake.

“We will have more news next week, but be assured – Pandemonium WILL ROCK!”