Parkway Drive Share Statement After Cancellation of Bluesfest 2026: “We Are Shocked”

Parkway Drive have issued a statement following the cancellation of Bluesfest 2026: “We are gutted for the fans”.

Australian metalcore legends Parkway Drive have shared a statement reacting to the news that Bluesfest 2026 has been cancelled.

On Friday (March 13), organisers confirmed the festival would not be going forward. In the message, the decision would be attributed to “rising production, logistics, insurance, touring costs, combined with softer ticket demand and international uncertainties.”

Bluesfest 2026 was expected to feature Parkway Drive as a headlining act, along with Split Enz, Erykah Badu, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sublime, Counting Crows, The Black Crowes, and more to perform at the festival.

“We are shocked to hear that Bluesfest 2026 has been cancelled,” Parkway Drive said in a statement.

“To see such an important Byron Bay community institution fall on hard times is heartbreaking. We are gutted for the fans who made plans to come to Byron for this year’s festival. We know so many of you travel from all over to be there, and we were really looking forward to sharing that moment with you at home.”

Parkway Drive fans are sure to be crestfallen, given the band were forced to cancel their own festival, Park Waves, late last year.

According to a social media statement issued by Destroy All Lines following the event, the event was called “due to a combination of challenges,” and ultimately, “the numbers no longer stack up.” It’s not clear whether this refers to increasing costs of running an event (especially in regional areas), low ticket sales, or something else.”

The post continued: “With a heavy heart, we’ve had to make a difficult decision. We’ve tried everything. We’re gutted. We know everyone will be understandably disappointed.”

Parkway Drive would issue a separate statement later, admitting the cancellation felt like “a kick in the guts”.

“Another festival being crushed by the rising costs across our entertainment industry. It hurts to be another casualty in this chapter of the Australian music scene,” the statement read.

“We’ve tried every possible option to keep this dream alive, but the reality of the circumstances won’t allow for it.”

Fans have been riled up following the announcement that Bluesfest 2026 would not move forward, as an email sent to ticket holders by the festivals Liquidator Worrels said: “At this stage it seems unlikely that you will be refunded from the liquidation any money, but we will notify you if this position changes.”