A sudden landlord lockout at Drifters Wharf has thrown a packed run of upcoming shows into chaos, with artists, promoters and ticket holders now scrambling to work out what happens next.
The Gosford waterfront venue was shut down on April 25 after a Notice of Re-Entry / Lock Out was issued, citing alleged non-payment of rent and breach of lease. The move immediately halted operations, despite bookings and events scheduled across the coming months.
With no central statement from the venue or its operators, updates are now emerging artist-by-artist — and the picture is quickly becoming fragmented.
✅ Shows Already Moved
Blunt Magazine can confirm multiple shows have already begun relocating following the shutdown.
- Kalani Artis (May 17) has confirmed their ‘Home Town Thank You’ show will proceed at a new venue on the same date and time, with tickets remaining valid. A replacement location is expected to be announced shortly.
- Tapestry – The Carole King Experience (April 26) has already been relocated, with the show now set to take place at Breakers Country Club in Wamberal.
⚠️ Shows In Limbo
Other events are actively working through options, with organisers indicating shows are likely to proceed but may need to move.
- Live Baby Live: The INXS Tribute Show (May 22) has confirmed it is exploring alternative arrangements and may shift to a nearby venue. An update is expected within days, with organisers stating tickets will remain valid.
❓ No Update Yet
A significant number of upcoming shows — including major touring acts — have yet to issue any public update.
- Thundamentals (June 19)
- Pnau (July 4)
- What So Not (May 15)
- Playlunch (May 1)
- Rachael Fahim / Abbie Ferris (May 29)
Ticketing platforms are still actively listing multiple events at Drifters Wharf, despite the venue being locked out, suggesting promoters are yet to update event details.
Customer Concerns Emerging
Concerns are also being raised by customers with private bookings at the venue, with some claiming deposits have already been paid ahead of the shutdown.
In a comment shared on social media, one person said they had a large function booked for next month and that the venue was holding a 50 per cent deposit worth “a couple of grand”, adding they had been unable to reach anyone following the lockout.
It’s currently unclear how deposits and upcoming functions will be handled, with no official communication issued by the venue or its operators at the time of writing.
The timing is particularly significant, with Mother’s Day approaching — typically one of the busiest periods for hospitality venues and private functions.
A Live Situation
The venue had more than a dozen shows scheduled across the coming weeks and months, making it an active stop for touring artists and a key live entertainment hub on the Central Coast.
Responses are now emerging across multiple events, with some shows already relocated, others working to secure new venues, and several still yet to provide any public update.
Blunt will continue tracking updates as affected artists confirm whether their shows are moving, cancelled or rescheduled.
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