It's Official: Soundwave Is Over

After weeks of speculation from the music industry and punters who had bought tickets to the nine-year-running festival, promoter AJ Maddah has finally announced the cancellation of Soundwave 2016.

Taking to his Twitter today Maddah said, "I am devastated to have to announce the cancellation of Soundwave 16 due to poor ticket sales. I am very sorry. I tried my best."

In response to a fan asking if Soundwave had a future, Maddah said he is "flat broke and physically and spiritually crushed".

"I can't see it mate. I am flat broke and physically and spiritually crushed. Hopefully others will pick it up & run with it," he said.

I am devastated to have to announce the cancellation of Soundwave 16 due to poor ticket sales. I am very sorry. I tried my best. #SW16

— AJ (@iamnotshouting) December 17, 2015

@LittleMissTay21 @riripixie A lot of people seem to have done the same unfortunately.

— AJ (@iamnotshouting) December 17, 2015

Thank you to all the fans, bands and people who supported the event for the last 12 years. i wish we could have ended it on a better note.

— AJ (@iamnotshouting) December 17, 2015

.@millymolly11 Refunds from point of purchase. It may take a little time be patient an wait fro contact from Eventopia.

— AJ (@iamnotshouting) December 17, 2015

.@zacdoyle Tried very hard to get RATM back together. It didn't work out.

— AJ (@iamnotshouting) December 17, 2015

@john12678 I can't see it mate. I am flat broke and physically and spiritually crushed. Hopefully others will pick it up & run with it.

— AJ (@iamnotshouting) December 17, 2015

Great triumph for the internet hate squad and the trolls. Congratulations guys. Only thing is, you are now fast running out of targets.

— AJ (@iamnotshouting) December 17, 2015

The punk/metal festival had been the topic of much conversation in recent days, amidst social media posts from billed bands like Bring Me The Horizon, who posted they were not yet 100% confirmed on the 2016 line-up, Frenzal Rhomb, who alluded to Soundwave's apparent monetary troubles, and NOFX, who flat-out posted that the festival was cancelled before Maddah could confirm.

Also today, US rock act L7 announced they had pulled out of next year's festival. 

Earlier this week, Maddah confirmed that he was "over it" and Soundwave 2017 would not be taking place. Yesterday, Maddah also confirmed the end of Soundwave's touring arm, Soundwave Touring. Its last tour was October's Devin Townsend Project. 

Soundwave's General Manager Chris O'Brien also announced the launch of his management company, What A Vibe, signing UNFD act Storm The Sky as its first act.

Soundwave Festival broke onto the scene in 2007, growing exponentially between 2008 and 2014 with headliners such as blink-182, Metallica, Iron Maiden and System Of A Down over the years, before announcing it would become a two-day festival in 2015 and would not stop in Perth, before planning a return to the one-day format for the now-nixed 2016 event.