‘Dance the pain away’: Cancelled festival offers free party in Melbourne

Fans of a cancelled regional Victorian music festival now have a chance to celebrate with a free event in Kensington, a suburb in Melbourne's north-west.

The Esoteric Psychedelic Circus Festival was set to run for five days in Donald, Victoria, but it was cancelled just before its start after the organization’s application for a Place of Public Entertainment Occupancy Permit (PoPE-OP) was denied.

This festival, known for its focus on psychedelic music and art, was slated for 2025, but with the permit refusal, it won't take place as planned.

As a gesture of goodwill, the festival organizers have invited ticket holders to join a special event at the Melbourne Pavilion on Sunday, March 9. In a post on social media, the organizers encouraged those affected to come and enjoy performances from international artists who had traveled to be part of the festival.

Sam Goldsmith, one of the festival organizers, expressed that the free event is a way to give back to the loyal patrons who have supported Esoteric Festivals over the years. "We are extremely grateful to Melbourne Pavilion for assisting us at the last minute and to the food vendors who have moved their services to this new venue," he said.

While the event is free for ticket holders, there will also be tickets available for those who did not hold a ticket for the festival.

The controversy began when the Buloke Shire Council initially recommended against the festival's permit, citing a lack of health and safety plans. This decision followed reports of gastroenteritis symptoms seen among festival-goers at the previous year's event.

Goldsmith defended the festival, stating that he had received necessary approvals from health and emergency services for the event. Although the council’s councillors initially voted for the festival to proceed against staff recommendations, the municipal building surveyor later denied the application for the required permit.

According to a council spokesperson, the PoPE-OP is mandatory under the Building Act 1993, and its refusal cannot be overturned by the councillors.

Consequently, the Esoteric Music Festival will now be postponed until 2026. The decision to refuse the permit aligns with ongoing concerns raised by council officers regarding safety and compliance.

Festival organizers announced on social media that refunds will be offered to ticket holders. They also indicated that tickets purchased for 2025 would still be valid for the 2026 festival. “We encourage you to hold on to your tickets to help us keep the spirit of the festival alive,” the organizers stated.

Many festival attendees have expressed their disappointment but are encouraged by the alternative free event, allowing them to still connect with the music and arts community they cherish.

Join the Community

The message from the festival organizers is clear: they aim to maintain a sense of community and continue creating unforgettable experiences for their audience.

festival, victoria, music