Update (11:21am 9/2/19)

Mountain Sounds has officially cancelled their 2019 event, citing the NSW government’s “war on festivals”, much like Psyfari did earlier this week. In a lengthy statement posted to Facebook, the event organisers write how devastated they are about having to cancel the event.

“We can’t begin to express our sadness in having to cancel the event, particularly this close to it,” the statement reads. “We were so excited to see all our hard-work come to fruition and to share the experience with our community, who we value more than anything and for whom we put this event on for.”

“To all of our patrons who will be extremely inconvenienced by this news, we wish to express our sincerest apologies. The future for Mountain Sounds is unclear at this point in time but we will find a way to continue our passion and commitment in bringing music and arts to the coast. We are eternally grateful for the support of our staff, crew, volunteers, suppliers, councils and emergency services.”

Read the original story and full statement below.

Original Story

Looks like NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s harsh come down on the state’s music festivals are about to claim another victim, with Central Coast festival Mountain Sounds reportedly set to the cancel 2019’s event just days from when it was supposed to start.

As reported by The Industry Observer, sources close to the festival have said the festival hasn’t sold enough tickets, and are struggling to compete with the new restrictions placed on festivals in the state. Mountain Sounds is reportedly set to announce its cancellation this coming Monday, 11th February.

This comes just days after the festival had to downsize its event – including dropping 20 acts featuring the likes of Stella Donnelly and Moaning Lisa from the bill – to comply with the increased pressure of safety costs.

“We have recently had to look at measures across the board to continue moving forward with the event, whilst still maintaining the highest safety standards and ensuring the quality of the festival experience for patrons and artists aren’t compromised,” they said in a statement.

“However, due to current increased pressure around safety, licensing and security we have had to modify our site, staging and infrastructure so the event can go ahead.”

This isn’t the first festival this week to suffer from these harsh new laws, as Psyfari had to cancel their 10th anniversary festival due to the government’s “war on festivals.”

Other major festivals, however, have banded together to call for legalised pill testing at festivals, something Berejiklian is remaining a really f*cking annoying stick in the mud with.

Mountain Sounds 2019 is set to be headlined by Angus & Julia Stone, What So Not and Courtney Barnett, with the lineup also featuring Kwame, Middle Kids, Ruby Fields, Nothing But Thieves, Yungblud, Riton & Kah-lo and many more. It is set to go ahead this coming weekend, from Friday, 15th to Saturday, 16th February.

UPDATE 25/02/19: Mountain Sounds Festival Is In Liquidation, Owing $1.5 Million