Queensland Festival Leaves Punters Stranded After Cancellation

A Queensland festival due to be headlined by Ash Grunwald and a supergroup featuring members of AC/DC and The Angels has been cancelled the day before it was due to kick off this long weekend.

Promoted by John 'Scratch' Grey, Whitsunday Calling – to be held in the North Queensland region – posted on Facebook this morning that “We were let down by the company supplying the P.A. system and despite our best efforts to source a replacement supplier, no equipment was available to the standard expected by these international bands at such short notice.”

The site – which had  a 3,000 capacity – was meant to be open to campers from 7am this morning.

Punters have vented their frustration on Facebook, saying they already had travelled to the region or had plans locked-in.

“I just flew here from Sydney and you cancel the day before the event?? No one will ever trust you again. Thanks for the fuck up,” wrote one.

Another posted, “My husband to be had organised this event as his bucks party! Now we have people traveling from nsw and they have no where to go! Shame on you. Don't expect any support from of us. And word of mouth is a killer!” (sic)

According to local paper the Whitsunday Times the announcement was originally made at 5.30pm yesterday, but those posts have since been deleted from Facebook.

The promoter Live Events & Promotions [LEAP] has told theMusic.com.au they will be issuing a statement on refunds later today.

"We want to make sure ticket holders do get a refund so we will do our utmost to achieve this," they said.

Speaking to the Times in August Grey had said the festival was an “ongoing battle” and was originally slated for September 2012.

“Then the election came and there was a complete new line-up of state and local government," hey said. "We had to start all over again.”

Alongside Grunwald and supergroup The Dynosaurs, featuring Mark Evans (AC/DC and Heaven), Graham “Buzz” Bidstrup (The Angels, GANGgajang), Mark Gable (The Choirboys) and Les Gock (Hush), other artists booked to perform were Rose Tattoo, Katchafire, Daryl Braithwaite, The Radiators and Bondi Cigars. Profits were set to be donated to charity.

Story updated 2.30pm