Future Music Festival Asia Cancelled A Week Out

The Asian leg of the Australian Future Music Festival has been cancelled at the 11th hour after the Ministry Of Home Affairs did not grant the promoters a license.

Organised by Australian-based Future Music Australia and The Livescape Group, the weekend promoters fought to keep the event alive over the weekend, but had ultimately had all their appeals rejected. It is understood that a death at the festival last year – which caused the cancellation of day three – is behind the government’s decision to not let the festival go ahead. Moving from Malaysia to Singapore in 2015, it was slated to take place Friday 13 and Saturday 14 March at Changi Exhibition Centre.

“Isolated incidents which happened outside of Singapore cannot and do not carry any implication that FMFA is in any way linked to drug use nor is it any indication that there will be drug abuse at the event,” promoters had said to Singapore Police.

They were not able to change the minds of the Home Affairs Ministry however, and despite apparent feverish discussions to save the event, it has been officially cancelled.

“We are extremely disappointed that our appeal to the Ministry of Home Affairs to organise Future Music Festival Asia 2015 in Singapore has been unsuccessful,” organisers said in a statement.

“We can confirm that we have received the official rejection of our appeal.”

Thousands of refunds are now being organised by the promoters and they have moved to calm anger from those who are significantly out of pocket having made travel arrangements.

“We are also aware of the many fans overseas that have made travel arrangements into Singapore for the festival. We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience you have been put through.”

Not only is it a huge financial blow to the festival promoters, the Government’s decision will be a bold warning sign for foreign investors and promoters looking at Asia as the next big festival market.

Australia’s Laneway festival has a Singapore leg and EDM festival Stereosonic is looking for an appropriate market to push into the territory through.

Avicii, The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, Giorgio Moroder and Arojack were amongst those confirmed to play.