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News : Stag Music Touring cancel Once Human Australian Tour

By on February 5, 2018

No doubt many of you have already read the news circulating of sacked Bald Faced Stag leaseholder/general manager, Scott MacKenzie. MacKenzie has allegedly not paid bands who performed at the Sydney venue over the last several months, including The Dillinger Escape Plan who are supposedly owed $40,000 as reported via TheMusic.com.au.

In addition to the Bald Faced Stag, MacKenzie also created and financed a new touring company Stag Music Touring, and its first tour was to be with American death metal newcomers, Once Human. Unfortunately, due to the recent saga surrounding the venue and its previous manager, Scott MacKenzie. The Once Human Evolution Tour will no longer be touring Australia, and the band has officially cancelled their late February and early March extensive tour of Australia.

In a statement from a former employee of the touring company states.

‘It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the Once Human Evolution Tour including the Blood Oath Festival are officially cancelled. 

The former company owner of Stag Music Touring Australia, Scott Mackenzie was not able to fulfil his contractual obligations after recent allegations surfaced about him regarding fraudulent activity.

While the rest of us tried everything we could to salvage the tour and have someone take over it was just not possible in such a short space of time. We are absolutely devastated. Sincerest apologies to all the fans. 

Refunds will be issued at point of purchase (Oztix/Moshtix). Many thanks to all the bands, venues and ticketing outlets for your support, patience and understanding through these difficult times.’

Stag Music Touring is also the presenter of the upcoming Swedish industrial metal act, Pain, fronted by Peter Tägtgren. At the present time, it is unclear whether the tour will still be going ahead. They’re currently looking for a new promoter to take over the tour.

This is not the first time Peter Tägtgren has experienced an impending tour cancellation of Australia. The previous time this happened was back in 2013 when Tägtgren’s flagship death metal band, Hypocrisy, were set to tour the country but was cancelled at the eleventh hour after then touring company Oceanic Sharks botched the tour by not booking flights or organising visas.

Australia is an already isolated country. We don’t wish to isolate ourselves even further because of the actions of a small few who are unsure or unclear of their endgame. If you’re a band from outside of Australia and do wish to tour this country, please do not feel discouraged after reading this article.

Australia has a long history of excellent tour promoters who actually get shit done. To name but a few; Destroy All Lines, Metropolis Touring, Soundworks Touring, David Roy Williams Entertainment, Direct Touring, Unified, and not to forget the juggernauts of the game; Live Nation Australia, Frontier Touring, Chugg Entertainment, Paul Dainty…the list goes on.

However, we do strongly advise caution and be vigilant wherever you’re touring. Whether it be Australia or elsewhere. Australia is not the only country to experience shoddy salesmen and questionable touring ethics from individuals who claim to know it all. The only advice I can offer to bands is to ask around and do your research. Speak to local bands, fans, magazines and the people who genuinely want to improve and expand the touring landscape.

For those parties interested in salvaging this tour or the potential cancellation of the Pain tour, please contact: chris@maricmedia.com.au.

About

Anwar is the editor-in-chief of Metal Obsession.net. When Anwar isn't busy promoting tours, interviewing bands and reviewing awesome music, he loves to collect metal vinyl and play video games. Follow Metal Obsession on Twitter and Facebook