Music festival blames ‘economic climate’ as it cancels headliners, offers no refunds

A Minnesota music festival has removed all headliners from its lineup, a decision it said was made due to the current economic climate.

Following the decision by Moondance Jam to nix the well-known acts, it said it will not offer refunds to ticket buyers.

“I’m angry, I’m hurt, I’m depressed,” said Spencer Ernst, who told Valley News Live it has been a tradition for he and his dad to attend the festival.

Creed, Kansas, Foghat, Blue Oyster Cult and Journey’s Steve Augeri were among the acts who were scheduled to perform during the festival July 18-20 in Walker. All of the headliners, as well as any other national-touring act on the lineup, will no longer appear.

Moondance Jam said in a July 1 post on Facebook the “present economic climate” created challenges for this year’s festival. Festival owner Kathy Bieloh told the Star Tribune “poor ticket sales” attributed to the lineup changes.

“Despite our best efforts, we have not met the necessary financial thresholds to produce a festival with national-touring attractions this year,” the festival said. “In light of these financial hurdles, we cannot proceed with any national touring lineup.”

The festival will still hold an event — Camp Moondance — but it will only feature regional acts.

People who purchased tickets for Moondance Jam will not be issued refunds. Instead, they can attend this year’s smaller event and receive four additional free tickets, exchange their tickets for two other local events, or they can roll them into 2025.

“WHAT A JOKE,” Brian Minks said in a Facebook post about the decision.

“Another festival screws it all up,” Michael Brandvold said on Facebook. “Right now they aren’t offering ticket refunds. What a mess!”

This story was originally published July 2, 2024 at 9:18 AM with the headline "Music festival blames ‘economic climate’ as it cancels headliners, offers no refunds."