Due to poor tickets sales, Soulfest has announced this morning that the 2015 festival next week and all sideshows will no longer be going ahead, breaking Australian hearts across the country (or, at least those who actually had tickets).
Boasting a lineup of international heavyweights such as Ms. Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, Jhene Aiko, Blackstar and more, it seems that wasn’t enough to lull Australians out of their stupor to purchase tickets ahead of the dates. Taking to their official Facebook page to deliver the news, promoters said:
“It is with a heavy heart and great regret that Soulfest International advises that it has become necessary to cancel Soulfest and the subsequent sideshows, due to poor ticket sales. Soulfest was scheduled to take place in Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney, with sideshows in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, and was due to commence on October 20th.
Soulfest was launched with the intention of promoting genres of music that are often overlooked commercially in this country, specifically Neo-Soul, RnB and Hip-Hop, and Soulfest 2014 successfully delivered some of the most exciting talent within these genres. Despite a stellar line-up of artists and the best promotional endeavours on Soulfest’s behalf, the event has simply not received the support via ticket sales, and the financial loss that would be incurred by the event if it were to go ahead as planned would be devastating.
There have been many people working behind the scenes, including media partners, artists, sponsors, sub-contracted promoters, communication managers, agents and suppliers who live, breathe and support this incredible genre of music and have worked tirelessly to try and make this event a success. The promoter sincerely apologises to all involved who have dedicated 7 months of their lives to work on this festival, and to the supporters of the event who purchased tickets.”
Heading the same way as Harvest and Big Day Out before it, Soulfest is now the latest festival to be effected by the shifting climate in this country when it comes to live music. It is so important to by tickets in advance and support your local scenes so we can foster a community that is supportive of live music. If we are complacent and, for lack of a better word, lazy, when it comes to live music, we can be assured that this is only going to continue to happen. There will be a lot of sad fans today, ourselves included.
Soulfest was meant to be in Sydney on Saturday, 24th October and Melbourne, 25th October. See below for all refund details.
Refund details:
For all tickets booked online or by phone, the credit card used in the booking will automatically be refunded. Please allow up to 14 days to receive your refund. If the original credit card you used for the purchase has been cancelled or no longer valid please contact place of purchase.
If you made your booking at an outlet please return to the original outlet where the booking was made with your ticket(s) and credit card used to purchase in hand to obtain your refund. Refunds will only be provided to the original purchaser on presentation of photo ID.
We’re already halfway through September. Not only does this mean that the springtime sun has finally come out, but it means that festival season is about to begin. Next month will see the second ever Soulfest taking place in Sydney and Melbourne – and today, the set times are here.
You’ve now got more than a whole month to figure out exactly who you want to see, when, where, and who you’re going to have to miss out on. This is really great news for people like yours truly, who will need this entire time to figure it out.
Soulfest will be headlined by the best and brightest in hip hop, R&B, neo-soul, jazz and more. It’s really exciting to see such a strong female lineup, from the legendary Lauryn Hill and Mary J Blige, to Jill Scott and Jhene Aiko, as well as upcoming local artist Thandi Phoenix and more, there’s such a big female presence, and I could not be happier about that. Top that with hip hop royalty De La Soul and Black Star (Mos Def & Talib Kweli), the sexy Miguel, jazz virtuoso Kamasi Washington and more, I can’t think of a single reason to not attend this festival.
Only a handful of sideshows have been announced, including for Aiko and Washington, and some additional shows in Brisbane, who are missing out on the festival – so get in quick.
Here’s the timetables for the Melbourne and Sydney events:
Soulfest 2015:
Lauryn Hill
Mary J. Blige
Miguel
Jill Scott
Jhene Aiko
Charlie Wilson
Black Star (Mos Def & Talib Kweli)
Talib Kweli
De La Soul
Dwele
Eric Benet
Floetry
Daniel Merriweather
Remi
BJ Chicago Kid
Kamasi Washington
Jazmine Sullivan
Thandi Phoenix
DJ Trey
Soul of Sydney DJs
Maribelle
David Dallas
Ladi 6
1200 Techniques
Jones Jnr (Syd only)
Yum Yum (Syd only)
Maribelle & 45 Session
SYDNEY: Saturday 24th October – The Domain
MELBOURNE: Sunday 25th October – The Sidney Myer Music Bowl & Kings Domain Precinct
Tickets from www.soulfest.com.au
UPDATE: A Melbourne sideshow has also been announced! See below for details.
If you’ve been reading this blog over the past few months, you’ll know how excited we are for the sophomore offering of Soulfest, Australia’s predominant soul, hip hop and R&B festival. Taking place across Melbourne and Sydney in late October, the festival will feature the biggest and most respected names in the field. From Mary J Blige and Lauryn Hill to Black Star (Mos Def and Talib Kweli) and De La Soul; from Uncle Charlie Wilson and BJ the Chicago Kid to the sexy Miguel and prodigious jazz musician Kamasi Washington… well, you can see my point. Wow.
Brisbane folk were already graced with the good news that, in lieu of a festival, they will be the recipients of special sideshows from Lauryn Hill, Mary J Blige and Black Star. But now, the national sideshows are rolling out, and the first one off the bat is none other than Jhené Aiko.
Drawing comparisons to everyone from Aaliyah to The Weeknd and having collaborated with big names like Drake, Kanye West and Miguel, the songstress has become something of a legend in her own right – especially when you consider that her triple-Grammy-nominated debut album Souled Out came out less than a year ago.
Aiko, who recently released a series of photos inspired by the late, great Tupac, will be taking to the stage of Sydney’s Metro Theatre, where she’ll be performing a one-off show for fans lucky enough to get a ticket. Known for her captivating and engaged live performances, this is sure to be one hell of a night.
Details:
Thursday 22nd October: Metro Theatre, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
Tickets from $59+ bf
Buy them here on August 11 2015
Tuesday 20th October: Trak Lounge Bar, Melbourne
Buy tickets here on AUgust 19 2015
SYDNEY: Saturday 24th October – The Domain
MELBOURNE: Sunday 25th October – The Sidney Myer Music Bowl & Kings Domain Precinct
Two weeks ago, we brought you the first lineup announcement for the second ever offering of Soulfest, Australia’s own soul, R&B, hip hop festival. Leading the pack was Mary J Blige, Talib Kweli and De La Soul among others. That was enough to give me heart palpitations, but now, the second announcement is here.
LAURYN HILL
Lauryn Hill is easily one of the greatest neo-soul artists in the world. Part of The Fugees before going on to launch an incredibly successful solo career, her voice, attitude and exploration of culture, relationships, religion and more in her lyrics led her to be considered something of a revolutionary in the genre. Her foray into solo music, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, went on to win a handful of Grammys, amassing millions of album sales and immense respect in the process. (If you want to learn more about the album, read the Flashback Friday feature about it here.) One of the first female artists to rise to prominence on a healthy blend of soul, R&B and rap, she’s also an unsung hero of the world of female MCs, with a flow to rival any of her contemporaries. Not one to travel or perform live particularly often, this is sure to be one hell of a show.
Oh, and let’s all come together and pray that she and Mary J Blige reunite to perform the one and only I Used To Love Him:
BLACK STAR
Well, goddamn.
So, the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw that Talib Kweli was playing Soulfest was, “It’s a shame Mos Def was on the bill last year, if they were both playing they could’ve done Black Star.” And now my prayers have been answered. For those who don’t know, Black Star is a one-time collaboration between the two legendary rappers; they released Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star in 1998, before either of them had pulled the attention of countless international fans. It was probably the first or second underground hip hop album I ever listened to, and is an unparalleled GOAT in my opinion. The racially-charged, socially aware album celebrates African American history and culture, philosophical outlooks on society, the mid-’90s hip hop community, life in Brooklyn and the need for hip hop to repair itself after years of gun, gang and drug-related violence. (There’s references to the shootings of Biggie and Tupac, for instance.)
I cannot explain how much this performance will personally mean to me, and I can’t stress enough of a need to purchase tickets to see Black Star (hopefully a sideshow is in the works). This will go down in history.
MIGUEL
Miguel visited Australia last year, and we loved him so much that he’s headed back for Soulfest this October. Ahh, Miguel. An R&B artist who simply oozes sex and seduction, Miguel is unique in that he’s been embraced equally by the mainstream and by the hip hop community. Armed with a stunning voice and endlessly sensual beats, he’s currently getting ready to drop his new album, the highly anticipated Wildheart (with one HELL of an album cover) on June 3. Known for his magnetic stage presence and his stunning live show, this will be a festival highlight for sure.
JAZMINE SULLIVAN
7 times Grammy nominee Jazmine Sullivan is rounding off the Soulfest headliners. In the six or so years since she entered the scene on her acclaimed album Fearless, she’s written for, and collaborated with, Snoop Dogg, Mary J Blife, Jennifer Hudson and more. In 2011, Sullivan went on hiatus from the music industry, and it looked like we were going to miss out on more from the highly talented artist. But in January this year, Reality Show came out – and now’s your chance to catch the woman in action, on her first ever Australian tour.
So the full second lineup is:
LAURYN HILL
MIGUEL
BLACK STAR (TALIB KWELI & MOS DEF)
JAZMINE SULLIVAN
David Dallas
Ladi 6
1200 Techniques
Jones Jnr (Syd only)
Yum Yum (Syd only)
Maribelle & 45 Session
They will be joining the following:
Mary J. Blige
Jill Scott
Jhene Aiko
Charlie Wilson
Talib Kweli
De La Soul
Dwele
Eric Benet
Floetry
Daniel Merriweather
Remi
BJ Chicago Kid
Kamasi Washington
Thandi Phoenix
DJ Trey
Soul of Sydney DJs
Maribelle
General public sales on Wednesday May 27, 10 am.
Tickets from www.soulfest.com.au
Solid Gold VIP (Limited Capacity): $326.60
This ticket includes access to a purpose-built marquee in Sydney, and venue balconies in Melbourne, both featuring exclusive, unobstructed views. Also you’ll have access to a full private bar, express VIP entry, 2 complimentary drink vouchers and 1 complimentary food voucher, 1 exclusive t-shirt, free entry into the official after-party, hostess service and a lanyard.
VIP Front of Stage: $199 (First Release)
General Admission: $149 (First Release)
The first lineup announcement for the second ever Soulfest has just dropped – and it’s better than we could have ever imagined.
Leading the pack is none other than the high priestess of R&B herself, Mary J Blige. The phenomenally female-heavy headliners continue with the incomparable Jill Scott, and Jhene Aiko, one of the best, brightest and coolest acts we’ve seen emerging over the past few years.
Attendees will be privy to the magic that is Charlie Wilson, the legendary (and one of my personal all-times) Talib Kweli, the brilliant De La Soul (who will hopefully be sharing some more new music from their forthcoming crowdfunded album,) Kanye West and J.Dilla collaborator Dwele, the endlessly sensual Eric Benet and BJ the Chicago Kid, who has written music for Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J Blige and many others, in his very first Australian concert.
Waving the Australian flag will be Daniel Merriweather and rapper Remi, among others, including the beautiful Thandi Phoenix (Sydney only), who we had the pleasure of working with for this wonderful photo shoot.
Last year’s inaugural event featured artists such as D’Angelo, Maxwell and Common, Angie Stone, Mos Def and more.
Click here for an official Soulfest Spotify playlist!
Soulfest 2015 Dates
SYDNEY: Saturday 24th October – The Domain
MELBOURNE: Sunday 25th October – The Sidney Myer Music Bowl & Kings Domain Precinct
Soulfest 2015 Lineup
Mary J. Blige
Jill Scott
Jhene Aiko
Charlie Wilson
Talib Kweli
De La Soul
Dwele
Eric Benet
Floetry
Daniel Merriweather
Remi
BJ Chicago Kid
Kamasi Washington
Thandi Phoenix
DJ Trey
Soul of Sydney DJs
Maribelle
Sideshows, including shows in Brisbane and Perth will be announced in the coming months
Ticket details
Ticket pre-sales kick off on Monday May 18 and 10 am, with general public sales on Wednesday May 27, 10 am.
Tickets from www.soulfest.com.au
Solid Gold VIP (Limited Capacity): $326.60
This ticket includes access to a purpose-built marquee in Sydney, and venue balconies in Melbourne, both featuring exclusive, unobstructed views. Also you’ll have access to a full private bar, express VIP entry, 2 complimentary drink vouchers and 1 complimentary food voucher, 1 exclusive t-shirt, free entry into the official after-party, hostess service and a lanyard.
VIP Front of Stage: $199 (First Release)
General Admission: $149 (First Release)