6 Jan 2023

Summer music festival Nest Fest cancelled after artists withdraw

10:28 am on 6 January 2023
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Nest Fest organisers say four of the artists pulled out of the Hastings event at the last minute. (File picture) Photo: 123rf

Summer music festival Nest Fest has been cancelled as four artists pulled out.

The festival was scheduled to take place at the Tomoana Showgrounds in Hastings, Hawke's Bay, on 14 January.

In a statement, Nest Fest said four of the artists - ACTION BRONSON, POND, Methyl Ethel and DeWalta - pulled out of the event at the last minute.

"Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons & circumstances out of our control (family, injury & health) we have had four of our family artist members pull out of Nest Fest at the last minute," organisers said via Instagram.

"We are gutted by this.

"We have searched high and low to find suitable replacement acts which has proven near impossible this late into the game."

Organisers said the artists would "publicly address their withdrawals" over the coming days.

"We understand that this is a disappointment for our fans and artists who were still hoping to perform and for everyone who had committed traveling far & wide for this event.

"We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience..."

Nest Fest said all tickets would be refunded in the next few days.

Several other music festivals and concerts have been called off this week due to weather including Juicy Fest in Tauranga, Summer Haze in Matakana and a concert by UB40, Jefferson Starship and Dragon in Tauranga.