If you’ve been mourning the loss of Soundwave, never fear. Fans of the festival are banding together and attempting to stage their own, and break a crowdfunding world recording in the process.
This is no mere pipe dream. John Sankey, the drummer of Los Angeles based heavy metal band Devil You Know is driving the festival he calls Legion Music Festival and he’s got the support of a number of industry bigwigs who believe the initiative could change the way music festivals work around the world. That’s because it reduces the financial risk for bands, fans, and suppliers.
“All the fans need to do is pledge – which gets them a guaranteed ticket to the festival BUT their payment won’t actually get processed until the goal is reached and the event is guaranteed,” John Sankey explained. “That way everyone involved can have complete confidence that all costs are covered and the event will go ahead before committing time, services or money to the festival”, he said.
Perhaps most importantly, the project also has the support of Aussie and international acts. Bands like Devil Driver, Frontline Assembly, Aversions Crown, Devil You Know, Darkest Hour, Caligula’s Horse, MofoIsDead, and 28 Days have already signed on.
If the crowdfunding goal of $3.27 million is reached, the festival will take place over the Easter long weekend in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Smaller “mini” festivals will hit Adelaide and Perth on the following weekend. If you want to see this happen, put your money where your mouth is and pledge at the Legion Music Festival’s Pozible page.