The rise and fall of multicultural music festivals in Australia and Aotearoa

For a moment, Australia and New Zealand seemed to have found a home for multicultural music festivals celebrating afrobeats, amapiano, reggae, and R&B.

Events like Promise Land, Eden Fest, and Juicy Fest brought major international artists to local audiences, catering to black and islander communities that had long been underrepresented.

Now these festivals are collapsing, leaving fans disappointed and wondering what went wrong.

Australia’s biggest multicultural festival, Promise Land, drew over 20,000 attendees last year, with stars like Davido, Lauryn Hill, Rema, Busta Rhymes, Jorja Smith, Shenseea and Giveon performing.

New Zealand’s Eden Fest followed, offering a one-day version that quickly gained popularity.

These festivals weren’t just about music, they were a cultural movement, creating a space for underrepresented sounds and communities.

By 2024, problems had emerged, with Promise Land’s headliner Asake replaced by Busta Rhymes without explanation, leaving fans frustrated.

That same year, Eden Fest appeared disorganized, with smaller stages and chaotic crowd management.

Multiple artists pulled out of both festivals at the last minute, leading to disappointment, with mMny attendees leaving early, feeling they had wasted their money.

Performer Bela Tembo said “I’m glad I couldn’t attend because this just became Promise Land with no promises.”

Financial issues also played a role, with the rising costs of booking international artists and securing sponsorships taking a toll.

Oversaturation may have also contributed, as multiple festivals targeted the same audience.

Events like Juicy Fest and Souled Out festival failed to survive for a second year.