Beyond The Pale organisers update worried fans about future of music festival
Beyond the Pale organisers have said the festival is saved 'for many years to come' just hours after confirming the business was going into liquidation.
The Co Wicklow music event, which takes place in Glendalough from June 13 until June 15, 'very nearly stumbled' to being cancelled after The Currency reported that the festival's organiser had informed stakeholders the event was off, following a decision to immediately liquidate Cupola Events Ltd, the company behind the festival.
As many as 12,000 fans were left confused on Saturday about ticket refunds, but on Saturday night, Beyond the Pale organisers revealed they had been saved and confirmed the festival will continue for 'many years to come'.
In a statement, Beyond the Pale – which is run by promoter Declan Forde - said: 'Look, it's unbelievably tough out there for independent festivals, venues, promoters, artists… we all know that.
'Today we very nearly stumbled. But the festival gods smiled upon us, and the fate of Beyond the Pale is secure for 2025 — and for many years to come.'
'Thanks for bearing with us today, thanks for all the messages and gestures of support… and see you at Glendalough next week!
'PS: The forecast is hot and sunny.'
Among those delighted to hear the news, including Jennifer Zamparelli, who wrote: 'Can't wait.'
Festival organisers issued a follow-up statement on Sunday going into further detail about how perilously close this year's event came to being cancelled after "an essential piece of expected finance... fell through."
However, the festival's future has now been secured after organisers were 'approached by a very highly-regarded operator who sympathised with the struggles of putting on events... and offered to help'.
'Thanks for bearing with us over the past two days," the festival's organisers said in a statement.
"We want to share more about what happened and to reassure everybody that the festival is secure and we are full throttle for next weekend and beyond.
"A festival needs significant cashflow over the festival month. It's a huge challenge for all festivals in their first few years, and this week, an essential piece of expected finance that would have helped us through the period fell through.
"Whilst we had not made any announcement we were cancelling, we did have to pause the work that was happening on site.
"As it happens, the online chatter led to us being approached by a very highly-regarded operator who sympathised with the struggles of putting on events as an independent operator, and offered to help.
"We spent the day figuring it out together, and then put out a short public statement the moment we could.
"To reassure ticket holders, artists, vendors and everyone else involved: The festival is going ahead as planned, with the same infrastructure, line-up, safety and experience that everybody expects. The next few days are going to be very busy, but we will be ready to open the campsites at 12noon and the arena at 4.30pm on Friday.
"It was incredible to see so much support for the event over the day, and it was this passion - from all of you on social media, on site and beyond - that put the wheels in motion for us to get the show golden for next weekend.
"So - we all did this together. Thank you all. Your support means everything to our team. Let's have the party of a lifetime.'
This year's lineup includes Jon Hopkins, Róisín Murphy, Boney M, Jeff Mills, TV on the Radio, and Samantha Mumba.
DJ Dave Clarke, set to travel from Amsterdam to perform, told RTÉ on Sunday: 'It's very confusing. I've seen the reports, but the information changes all the time. I'll still be flying to Ireland – I love it too much.'
Launched in 2022 with fewer than 5,000 attendees, Beyond the Pale has quickly grown to host over 10,000 people. It was named Best Small Festival at the IMRO Awards last year.
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