August 8, 2008 9:09

Australian music festival cancelled

Sydney's The Great Escape is off

One of Australia's biggest summer festivals has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales.

The Great Escape festival was due to take place from October 4-5 at Newington Armory in Sydney, and featured Conor Oberst (pictured), Supergrass, We Are Scientists and The Futureheads on the bill.

However organisers have decided to pull the plug on the event, which moved from its usual Easter Weekend date this year.

"Unexpectedly low ticket sales have left festival organisers with no option but to cancel the event," they explained. "We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all those people that have made the festival such a success in previous years.

"We’d also like to whole heartedly apologise to the bands, artists, agents, managers, suppliers, sponsors, media supporters and festival goers that have been let down by our decision. The decision to cancel has not been an easy one for the team behind the event."

Fans are advised to return their tickets to the point of purchase for a refund.