Brit-pop legends Blur have cancelled their upcoming shows for the Big Day Out festival, citing disagreements with the festival's management.
One of the event's three main headliners – alongside Arcade Fire and Pearl Jam – the band announced today that they would no longer be coming to Australia.
In a statement they said, “Devastated to report that Blur won't be performing at BDO in 2014. It's a shock that it has come to this.
“Only 8 weeks to go, the band feels that with the constantly shifting goalposts and challenging conditions of the organisers, they can't let it drag on any longer and want to make this announcement, to be clear to Blur fans that they won't be there. We've done our very best to work with the organisers and considered every option to make it happen, but they've let us down and let everyone else down too.”
There has been no official word from the festival, but CEO Adam Zammit has indicated that the event will move to replace the group.
Newly-appointed promoter AJ Maddah has described Blur's action as “totally mind boggling” on Twitter, saying they passed on a sideshow at Sydney's Hordern.
Maddah also indicated they may refund tickets for fans who were wanting to see Blur.
@CalvinistPaul Totally mind boggling tbh...
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) November 24, 2013
@CalvinistPaul We'll announce replacements and anyone not satisfied with those replacements can get a refund.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) November 24, 2013
@CalvinistPaul We tried to get a sideshow at The Hordern in Sydney. They passed on it.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) November 24, 2013
@normo94 @iheartpods event is charging ahead despite Blurs action. Announcement and statement soon
— Adam Zammit (@AdamZammit) November 24, 2013
@LiamArandt yep will announce replacement very soon
— Adam Zammit (@AdamZammit) November 24, 2013
