Earthcore's Sydney leg cancelled as more artists say they weren't paid
Organisers have labelled an artist's claims as 'a vindictive advertised smear campaign'
The Sydney leg of Australia's Earthcore festival has been cancelled, as the list of artists no longer playing and claiming they had not been paid grows.
In a post to the 'Earthcore In The Park, New South Wales' Facebook page, organisers wrote: "Due to endless red tape and Parks NSW have not approved or rejected our plans days out from the show we have no choice but to cancel Earthcore in the Park NSW. The safety of our attendees has been comprised (sic) by the long-winded process by Parks NSW and delays to approve critical systems."
The post states ticketholders can either seek a refund or gain entry to the main camping festival, which kicked off yesterday (November 23) and runs through till November 27, at Elmore, Victoria, about seven hours from Sydney.
Later in the post, organisers call Israeli duo Coming Soon's claims, which included not being paid and not having flights booked, a "smear campaign."
"The vindictive advertised smear campaign by international artist Coming Soon who inferred that Earthcore Victoria was cancelled damaged our ability to provide you with the full billing to the show in Victoria," the post states.
But the festival's message is at odds with social media posts from a growing list of headline artists no longer playing. More DJs have pulled out of the festival over the past couple of days, including Nick Curly, Coyu and Marc Romboy.
"I'm really sad to say this, to anyone that was planning to see me this weekend and next in Australia but I cannot make it," Curly wrote.
"As of last night the organisers of the Earthcore festivals had not booked all my flights, I didn't have a work permit to enter the country and I hadn't been paid. So I'm out of moves here ... I am planning to make a club tour next year and I look forward to seeing you all then on the dancefloor."
Mixmag has approached Earthcore for comment but has not received a response.
Scott Carbines is Mixmag's Australian Digital Content Editor, follow him on Twitter