Sick New World Festival Canceled After Poor Ticket Sales and $400 GA Price Tag
The Sick New World festival in Las Vegas has been abruptly cancelled for 2025, with several theories emerging about the reasons behind this decision.
Theories about Sick New World festival cancellation
Photo Credit: Sick New World Festival
After two successful years, the festival's third edition faced multiple challenges that likely contributed to its cancellation:
- Booking Costs
- Metallica and Linkin Park were reportedly offered $5 million each to headline
- The extensive lineup posed potential profitability risks
- Live Nation partner C3 Presents attempted to reduce the roster
- Leadership Changes
- Festival overseer Jeffrey Shuman left Live Nation earlier this year
- C3 Presents took over booking responsibilities
- Some artists were allegedly not informed of their removal before lineup announcement
- Poor Ticket Sales
- Only sold one-third of the 60,000 capacity
- Previous editions sold out quickly
- High ticket prices ($400 for GA, up to $1,873 for VIP) likely deterred buyers
- Shifting Musical Direction
- Previous editions featured nu metal focus with System Of A Down headlining
- 2025 expanded to traditional rock with Queens of the Stone Age, AFI, Linkin Park, and Metallica
- Change in direction may have alienated core audience
Despite the cancellation, System Of A Down's John Dolmayan has indicated that the festival "will be back," suggesting this may be a temporary setback rather than a permanent end to the event.
Related Articles
LA Music Community Unites for 'LA Gives Back: Fire Relief' Benefit Concert on January 29
