Looks like the mosh pit at Pandemonium Rocks just got a whole lot smaller, but fear not, ya drongos – the festival is still going ahead!
That’s right, despite rumours swirling around the event faster than a seagull at a chip shop, organisers have confirmed Pandemonium Rocks will crank things up next month. But instead of the sprawling multi-stage shebang they first promised, it’ll be a more intimate, one-stage affair.
This comes after the festival copped a fair whack of drama, including a venue change and whispers it was getting the axe altogether. Remember that debacle over playing on Anzac Day? Yeah, that didn’t fly with anyone.
While the original line-up boasted a stack of international rock royalty – we’re talking Blondie, Deep Purple, the whole shebang – who will actually hit the stage is still a mystery. The tight-lipped organisers reckon they’ll spill the beans on the new line-up after Easter, so hold your horses.
Here’s the lowdown on the revised Pandemonium:
- One Stage Only: Forget running back and forth between stages to catch your favourite band – it’s all happening in one spot.
- New Lineup Incoming: Don’t chuck out your tickets just yet! Organisers promise a fresh lineup after Easter, but some bands you saw advertised might not be there anymore. Deep Purple? Jury’s out, mate.
- Same Dates, New Venues: The festival will still rock across Melbourne, Sydney, the Gold Coast and Bribie Island, but the venues might have changed. Check the Pandemonium Rocks website for the deets.
The dates for Pandemonium Festival are:
Saturday 20 April – Caribbean Gardens, Melbourne
Thursday 25 April – Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney
Saturday 27 April – Doug Jennings Park, Gold Coast
Sunday 28 April – Sandstone Point Hotel, Bribie Island (Blondie not appearing)
This news comes as Aussie music festivals are getting smashed by a perfect storm of rising costs and less-than-stellar ticket sales. Splendour in the Grass and Groovin the Moo both bit the dust recently, making Pandemonium’s downsized version a sign of the times.
So, is Pandemonium Rocks the phoenix rising from the ashes, or is it destined to be another festival casualty? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – it’s gonna be a different beast than what was first promised.