AJ Maddah Claims Soundwave 2016 Would Still Be On If He Had $50,000

The dust has still not settled since last week's announcement that Soundwave is officially over, as head honcho AJ Maddah has alleged that ticketing company Eventopia knew that ticketing proceeds advanced to him were being spent on deposits for the 2016 acts, despite the company claiming they were not informed. 

Speaking to triple j's Hack program Maddah claims that shortly after headliner band Bring Me The Horizon tweeted that they weren't "100% confirmed" for the festival, a number of other acts began to demand upfront payment. 

"I told [Eventopia] every minute I don't get the money it's going to be more difficult to get back on track," Maddah said. 

"The next day the bands will want all their fees not just the deposits."

An email Maddah claims he sent to general manager Martin Curnow reads, "I cannot stress the importance of getting our weekly payments back on track. We have crucial deposits due on Friday (tomorrow) without which we will lose artists."

However speaking to Hack on Friday Curnow said, "I have no understanding or insight into the financial arrangements of the festival and what AJ does with the money."

Maddah further alleges that Eventopia would not give him more money, though they did not want him to cancel. 

"If I'd had $50,000 the gig would still be on," Maddah said.

It comes in the wake of Eventopia dismissing claims made by Maddah that sales from Soundwave 2016 were being used to cover defunct R&B festival, Soulfest.

In a statement given to theMusic Eventopia said of Maddah's allegations, "This is totally and factually incorrect and a blatant attempt by Maddah to further muddy the waters."

It has also been reported that ticket sales for Soundwave 2016 were low compared to previous years. 

Maddah claims he was told at the beginning of last week that 20,000 tickets had been sold for next year, which equates to around $3.4 million, compared to the 2013 event which generated $63 million on the back of some huge headline acts including Metallica, Blink-182 and Linkin Park.

The on-going question of how punters can claim refunds has finally been answered, as Eventopia announced yesterday that they will be issuing refunds to punters. 

The Music has contacted Eventopia for further comment.