Organizers of embattled music competition The Drop say they proceed to boost cash that might permit them to pay refunds for reveals that have been canceled almost three years in the past.

The competition’s 2020 dates in Manly, Coolangatta, Torquay and Busselton have been canceled on account of COVID restrictions.

Regardless of bulletins for rescheduled occasions at Coffs Harbor and Bondi Seaside in October 2022, no reveals have taken place since then.

Ken O’Brien, normal supervisor of the competition, mentioned: Cheat The competition is trying to increase capital from new buyers, each to carry reveals in 2023 and to pay ticket holders who select to be refunded somewhat than attending a brand new present.

“We have been making an attempt to boost cash for 2 years… [to] Attempt to repair the compensation scenario,” mentioned Mr O’Brien.

“We hope the 2023 music competition market will permit us to create an surroundings for folks to spend money on as a result of folks do not cancel issues each 5 minutes.” [in].

“As we [raise capital] there may be nothing else we will do. Nobody runs away with cash.”

Refunds are but to be paid to some

There was an enormous disappointment on social media with some ticket holders who mentioned they’d utilized for a refund however had not but obtained it or had not been given a method to apply within the first place.

Ticket holders from all 4 canceled 2020 reveals have been given the choice to switch their tickets to new reveals scheduled for October 2022 for Coffs Harbor and Bondi Seaside and finally discontinued.

Nonetheless, solely Manly ticket holders have been supplied the choice to use for an alternate refund.

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Mr O’Brien mentioned “everybody” was being refunded for the canceled Coffs Harbor and Bondi Seaside reveals, however Cheat He spoke to a number of Manly ticket holders who mentioned they have been making use of for a refund somewhat than transferring their tickets to those reveals and are nonetheless ready to be paid.

Ticket holder Jessica mentioned her hyperlink to her refund software was not working and makes an attempt to contact the competition have been met with silence.

“It induced me loads of stress,” she mentioned.

“I have been actually apprehensive recently that I will by no means see that cash once more.”

Ticket holder Kate mentioned she had obtained a response concerning the unpaid refund however nonetheless had not seen the cash.

They replied saying it is going to be paid ‘quickly’,” he mentioned.

“[It] It by no means confirmed up on my account.”

Mr O’Brien mentioned he would work to get these reimbursements paid.

If there are unpaid for any motive, we are going to manage to pay for to pay these compensations.”

Just some ticket holders supplied refunds

Ticket holders for the opposite three 2020 occasions have been advised to attend for the lineup announcement for his or her rescheduled reveals earlier than making use of for refunds.

These rosters haven’t been introduced but.

Torquay ticket holder Violet mentioned anybody who purchased tickets to those reveals spent almost three years ready in limbo.

“A lot of folks got the chance to receives a commission again at completely different festivals from 2020, however we did not even get that chance as a result of we’re nonetheless ready for the lead roles to come back out,” he mentioned.

“It seems to be like our refunds are usually not actually authorized or assured.”

Mr O’Brien mentioned he stood by his resolution to not reimburse all reveals without delay.

“We put [the Coffs Harbour and Bondi Beach] reveals on sale and we supplied [Manly ticketholders] “A refund as a result of we did not wish to make the scenario worse,” he mentioned.

“This didn’t clear up the issue at hand to extend the capital payable [refunds for the other] 2020 is exhibiting and we’re nonetheless on this scenario.

“Our intention was to make the headlines, we’d solely try this if we paid the artists, and we might solely pay the artists if we had capital.”

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Silence from the competition organizers

The competition’s web site is not down and its social media accounts have been inactive since August 2022.

“It does not make any sense,” mentioned Mr O’Brien.

Ticket holders declare there was no official notification that the October 2022 Coffs Harbor and Bondi Seaside reveals have been cancelled, regardless of Mr O’Brien’s objections.

He mentioned that there was a publish on social media, however nothing was seen from the competition’s accounts.

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The impartial Instagram account @thatfestivalsite, which gives updates on Australian and New Zealand festivals, posted on September 16, 2022 that the Coffs Harbor and Bondi Seaside performances have been cancelled.

O’Brien mentioned he understood his frustration with the months of silence by the organizers, however stood by the choice.

“We have been in touch for over two years. [updates] to the folks,” he mentioned.

“The extent of frustration I perceive is that we have been advised the identical issues.

“We then selected to not maintain saying the identical issues.

“We determined to place communication to zero till we have been able to inform folks one thing we knew we may do.

“This isn’t making an attempt to cover from the scenario, it is simply to deal with recapitalizing the enterprise so we will inform folks.

“I perceive that individuals will not be glad about it, and we’re extremely sad that we won’t inform folks what they wish to hear.”