Inaugural Legion Festival Canceled

“Due to a number of business considerations, we have made the decision to not proceed with the proposed launch of Legion Music Fest in January 2017,” they said in a statement. “The organisers thank all Aussie metal fans for their continued support.”

Legion was mooted after the five-city Soundwave festival collapsed December 2015. John Sankey, Australian-born drummer of Devil You Know, one of the Soundwave acts, decided to go ahead with some international names on the bill and include a contingent of Australian high-decibel acts.

He was joined in the venture with Australian promoters Mark Spillane and Kristie Lawrence. A Pozible crowd-funding campaign to raise A$3.27 million ($2.51 million) to stage the replacement five shows in March 2016 only reached A$327,000 ($251,240). But promoters raised the sum through private donations and sponsorship.

Two donations of A$30,000 ($23,040) were made from audio and production services company JPJ Audio, and merchandise and tour company Love Police. Legion was shifted to January 2017, with timing, council issues, venue issues and securing headliners as reasons.

The January dates included Lordi (Finland), Devildriver (USA), Devil You Know (USA), Capture The Crown (Aus), Dream On, Dreamer (Aus) and Polaris (Aus). A few months ago, Sankey quit Devil You Know to concentrate on the festival. Speculation is that Legion promoters are also involved in an international event late 2017.