The sold-out Red Hot Summer Tour has been officially postponed until March 2022, in what could be the first big event to return to Ballarat.
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The all-star Australian lineup, featuring Hunters and Collectors, James Reyne, The Living End, Killing Heidi, The Angels, Baby Animals, and Boom Crash Opera, was originally going to perform in Ballarat in March this year, but will instead hit the North Gardens on March 19, 2022.
The coronavirus pandemic forced organisers to postpone the initial show, with a planned replacement date in October, but the risk was considered too great as regional infections continue to grow.
Promoter Duane McDonald said ticketholders could apply for refunds through Ticketmaster.
He said he was "heartbroken", but hopeful the virus would be under control by 2022.
"We can see what can happen and how fast it can spread," he said.
"The last thing we want to do is come into a city like Ballarat and bring the virus into the town - it's something we couldn't live with."
The whole lineup has been kept for the future date, which will also head to Kiama in New South Wales and the Barossa Valley in South Australia.
Mr McDonald said the loss of major events, including music festivals, will affect the entire Ballarat economy, from roadies and gig crew to food trucks, bin crews, and accommodation.
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"The town does support the festival - 15,000 of them bought a ticket to see seven heritage Australian bands on a Saturday afternoon, 25,000 went to Spilt Milk, thousands go to Springfest," he said.
"I've been hanging on with some hope - in Ballarat, I know what a kick in the guts all the accommodation providers have copped, I didn't' want to be the one to do it to them again.
"Right from the start we've been working with a lot of suppliers, but the problem is for a lot of them JobKeeper doesn't apply."
Live music and performing arts are among industries left devastated by the pandemic, despite many artists turning to online platforms.
While some venues have appealed for government support, the touring music industry faces a long road to get back to pre-coronavirus levels, including in consumer confidence - it may take a vaccine before mosh pits return.
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However, Mr McDonald is confident based on ticket sales - and by holding onto tickets, punters have been able to help festivals survive the crisis across the world
"90 per cent of the ticketholders kept their tickets, the other 10 per cent got a refund, and then those tickets sold out again right away," he said.
All Ticketmaster customers will be contacted in coming days with an option to keep their ticket or receive a full refund. For tickets purchased from other outlets, ticketholders are asked to contact their point of purchase.
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