Alert for concert attendees as Napier street festival cancelled – NZ Herald

The sudden cancellation of the Collins St Festival in Napier has left event planners issuing a warning to concertgoers. The festival, which was scheduled to take place near The Urban Winery in the National Tobacco building in Ahuriri, was called off due to poor ticket sales just a week before the event was set to happen. This comes as a disappointment to many as the festival was first held last year and was expected to make a return this Saturday with six different acts lined up to perform.

A social media post made a week before the festival was set to take place indicated that tickets were selling quickly, urging attendees not to miss out on joining “Hawke’s Bay’s favorite street party.” However, on Friday, apologetic messages were shared stating that the festival had to be canceled due to insufficient ticket sales. All ticketholders have been assured that they will receive a refund for their tickets, and Paisley Stage, an inner-city live music venue, has offered to host some of the artists who were scheduled to perform at the festival.

Tropical Downbeat Orchestra, Yes Yes No, and Mon Shelford, who were among the acts set to perform at the street festival, have now been booked to perform at Paisley Stage on Saturday night. Event promoter Beth Elstone noted the changing trends in ticket purchasing for events, especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. She emphasized the importance of supporting local events to provide opportunities for both audiences and artists while also acknowledging the economic challenges that many individuals are facing.

Napier City Council event manager and Hawke’s Bay Music Hub founder Kevin Murphy echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the risks associated with leaving ticket bookings to the last minute. He emphasized the need for event attendees to book their tickets early to ensure that events can proceed as planned. The cancellation of the Collins St Festival serves as a cautionary tale for both event organizers and attendees, illustrating the impact of delayed ticket purchases on the viability of such community events.

While the festival’s cancellation is a disappointment for many, efforts are already underway to explore potential changes that could bring the festival back next year. Suggestions such as avoiding scheduling events during the busy Christmas period are being considered to increase the likelihood of a successful return. Despite the setback, organizers remain hopeful that with proactive planning and early ticket sales, future events like the Collins St Festival can thrive and continue to provide entertainment for the local community.