Fans Fuming as Festival Cancellations Leave Them Out of Pocket

Hey festival fam! It’s heartbreak time for thousands of ticket holders left high and dry after a string of much-loved North East festivals – including Sunderland’s Kubix and Monument, Stone Valley North, and Wannasee Penrith – were officially cancelled this week. Yep, you read that right. Organisers Wannasee Ltd dropped the bombshell that they’re “not able to continue” and are now chatting with liquidators (yikes!). Their advice? Contact your ticket provider or card issuer pronto if you want a refund.

But it’s not that simple. Over at Skiddle HQ, they’re frustrated too. They say they’ve been knocking on Wannasee Ltd’s door to get the cash released for refunds, but so far? Nada. Skiddle’s offering punters a full credit refund for other gigs, but if you want cold hard cash, the timeline is anyone’s guess.

Meanwhile, CM Tickets says they’re telling ticket holders to contact the organisers directly—who are, let’s be honest, currently too busy dealing with the mess. Wannasee Ltd blamed a “difficult trading environment” and a “sudden collapse in customer confidence” for their financial woes.

It’s not just Wannasee Penrith that’s bitten the dust—Wannasee South, Jukebox Sunderland and Bingley, Sign of the Times, and Stone Valley’s southern and midlands editions are all on the scrap heap too.

A Skiddle spokesperson said it’s “not unusual” for ticket outlets to send money to organisers early so they can pay artists and suppliers—fair enough, right? But they also admitted getting the money back might take ages and “may not result in the full funds being returned.” Ouch.

Wannasee Ltd insisted that ticket money was always used for essential festival costs—like paying artists, suppliers, and all the other bits that make a festival magical. They added they’re working with liquidators and will share more news soon.

Fans are understandably gutted. Kevin Cooper from Burnopfield, County Durham, was due to hit up Monument Festival, plus had rolled over tickets from Stone Valley North. He’s waiting on £260 in refunds—and pointed out that small businesses supplying tents, food, and staging are likely even worse off. “It’s another hit on the music scene in the North East,” he said, sounding every bit as fed-up as the rest of us.

Kevin’s accepted Skiddle’s offer for credits but is also chasing a refund through his bank. “It’ll probably annoy the banks because they’ll end up footing the bill for it,” he added with a wry laugh.

Another fan from Durham, who’d dropped a whopping £700 on tickets for her 50th birthday bash (including Stone Valley North, Kubix, and Lindisfarne Festival) said she was “absolutely devastated.” “You plan it all year round,” she said. “You meet the same faces every year. It’s so disappointing.” She’s also trying the bank refund route, but the whole thing’s left her “gutted.”

In a tiny glimmer of hope, Wannasee Ltd said they’re still trying to save Lindisfarne Festival and Northern Kin. Fingers crossed something can be salvaged, because right now the North East music scene feels like it’s taken a real battering.