Soundwave chief AJ Maddah has assured punters that this weekend’s festival in Melbourne “will go ahead” despite the current chaos and uncertainty surrounding the public transport situation at the event.
As the transport dispute between festival organisers and the Victorian government continues, Maddah has stayed firm that Soundwave “will go ahead no matter what”, even though the lack of public transport available to punters could potentially leave thousands stranded.
In a series of tweets over the weekend, Maddah directed his anger at the Victorian government, labelling the state’s Premier Daniel Andrews and its transport department “lying scumbags” who pulled public transports from Soundwave and other events in favour of Melbourne CBD’s huge White Night festival.
“They’ve been aware of our event and the date since late April, early May, last year. That’s when Flemington gave them notice of the event.”
While Flemington Racecourse was the original venue for Soundwave Melbourne it was changed in December last year with the announcement that the festival would be returning to its original home of the RAS Melbourne Showgrounds.
It is unclear if this is at the centre of the dispute, though Maddah has accused the government as “using change of venue as an excuse” to deny the festival services. Neither Public Transport Victoria nor Soundwave organisers would comment to Crave about this issue.
Maddah also alleged that festival organisers were told a few weeks ago “in writing” by the transport department that Soundwave’s event permits would be compromised if they mentioned or complained about the public transport situation.
Reports The Herald Sun, Premier Andrews said Soundwave organisers should have secured public transport “back before we were in government” last year, a comment that was reiterated by Transport Minister Jacinta Allan who told media this morning that Soundwave organisers didn’t meet “some of the earlier guidelines”.
Both the Premier and the Transport Minister have stated they are willing to work with Soundwave to find a solution but Maddah told 3AW he hasn’t heard from them.
In a previous statement, Soundwave announced they will run a return bus shuttle service to and from Footscray and North Melbourne stations. Tickets for that service must be pre-booked. Additional parking options are also available.
UPDATE 16/02/15 5:06pm : Public Transport Victoria have issued a statement attacking Soundwave’s “haphazard” planning, while offering Melbourne Soundwave punters a solution to their public transport woes.
@Gr8WhiteJB SW will go ahead no matter what. Let’s see who has the balls and the stupidity to stop us.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 16, 2015
Dear Victoria: Your premier and your transport department are lying scumbags who pulled the public transport from 17 events including #SW15
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 14, 2015
No public transport for 14 events that may compete with City Of Melbourne event for morons staring at the pretty lights…
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 14, 2015
…while pick-pockets, perverts, drunkem louts and quite possibly ISIS sympathisers prey on them. A Gov sposnsored event w no bag checks…
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 14, 2015
It gets even better: Dept of Environment, warned us IN WRITING, that we are NOT TO mention “No Public Transport” & “not to complain” or …
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 14, 2015
… They would cancel #SW15. Will be going public with all the documents on Monday. Imbeciles.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 14, 2015
@FuckBurgo Yes. It is because of White Night. They have rostered every driver for Saturday. They can only only work certain number of hours
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 14, 2015
The guy who pulled public transport from #SW15 and 14 other events this weekend, then lied, then used threats to cover up: @DanielAndrewsMP
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 14, 2015
@LastLaughBlog @PTVUser nonsense. They have has the dates since April of last year. They’re using change of venue as an excuse.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 15, 2015
