Epicenter Festival backlash ensues over set cancellations, traffic issues

In its first year, Epicenter Festival has proven to have experienced some hiccups. Between canceling some of the headlining acts on Saturday evening due to weather, to intense traffic problems, Carolina Rebellion’s replacement is now facing the opinions of hundreds of angry festival goers.

Now, some patrons have taken to social media to express their concerns about Danny Wimmer‘s North Carolina festival.

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Problems started to arise for Epicenter Festival on Saturday night when they were forced to pull the plug early because of dangerous weather. Because of the cancellation, Judas Priest, Tool and more were forced to forfeit their sets.

“For the safety of fans, artists, and staff, the county of Richmond has determined that Epicenter will not resume tonight,” the festival said in a tweet on Saturday night. “Severe weather is continuing and we need to repair damage to the site. Please understand that this is a difficult decision and we know how excited each of you were. Doors will open at 12 p.m. tomorrow. Further information for ticket buyers will be emailed as soon as possible.”

Please understand that this is a difficult decision and we know how excited each of you were.

Doors will open at 12PM tomorrow.

Further information for ticket buyers will be emailed as soon as possible. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/UDqr7xfwQW

— EPICENTER FESTIVAL (@epicenterfest) May 12, 2019

While some fans were angered by the cancellation itself, many more were unhappy with the circumstances leading up to the evening’s disappointing announcement. Some ticket holders even claimed they spent hours in traffic waiting to get in, only to then get the news that the evening’s festivities were canceled.

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@wral reported the closure at 6:37pm. At 8:05pm we were all standing across the street. We were told @toollband would play as scheduled (after the original weather delay). I sincerely hope @epicenterfest works hard to attempt to make things right for those of us who … 1. As of Saturday night have spent 4 hours (or more) in traffic within 3 miles of the venue. 2. Paid full price for ticket packages in December 2018 and now we hear of tickets being sold for $1 at the venue in order to inflate attendance numbers. (note: this creates even more traffic & a potentially unsafe level of occupancy). 3. Spent over an hour in line, waiting to see a show that had already been cancelled. #unacceptable #inconsiderate #unprofessional #epicenter

A post shared by tonygloster (@tonygloster) on May 11, 2019 at 10:02pm PDT

Refunds? I bought VIP for Saturday only and it’s cancelled before the major bands even play?!?! #epicenter

— Chuck Newman (@ChuckNewman10) May 12, 2019

Still stuck in #epicenter parking lot after the show was cancelled. Haven’t moved an inch. What the fuck. pic.twitter.com/0F3s3FoMca

— pritchard (@npritchard84) May 12, 2019

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Additionally, many said that they also missed Friday night’s performances due to heavy traffic, among other things.

Inkcarceration in Mansfield Ohio was a first year festival in 2018 and traffic was smooth. Take a lesson from them. This was at a speedway for God’s sake-you weren’t trying to fit 10,000 people into a driveway!! Refund or class action lawsuit!

— Lara Whitaker (@LaraWhitaker215) May 11, 2019

@epicenterfest was total fucking BULLSHIT. So glad I won the tickets because the line to get into PARKING?! WHAT THE FUCK. We waited 2 1/2 hours to go 3 miles. Some people were waiting for 6 hours plus. Just to park.

— MrsFilmaTroy (@MrsFilmaTroy) May 11, 2019

Not to mention people paid for parking in advance and then YOU RAN OUT OF PARKING.

Absolute shit show. So many people are fucking livid. And want refunds. Yall are gonna end up sued. #epicfailcenter

— MrsFilmaTroy (@MrsFilmaTroy) May 11, 2019

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I usually don’t complain and spread issues and awareness….. ….we sat in traffic for three hours trying to get in. We sat in traffic with NO direction trying to get out of a dirt pit down a one way dirt road. . . Women complained about being molested in the campgrounds by staff, charged people money to park who already had passes, oh and didn’t have a special lot for the people who bought passes like they said they would. The list goes on and on. . . I have never thought I was in a situation where a riot was going to start until last night. @epicenterfest @dannywimmerpresents #epicenterfestival #hardrock #heavymetal #rock #metal #tool #foofighters #judaspriest #korn #robzombie #311

A post shared by Matthew J. Kuritz (@realmjk89) on May 11, 2019 at 4:42pm PDT

According to The PRP, some fans even went as far to create a Facebook page to file a class-action lawsuit against Epicenter’s organizers. However, the Facebook page now appears to be deleted.

However, traffic and parking were not the only things that angered festival goers. According to BrooklynVegan, the festival, along with Sonic Temple, offered tickets for $1 in a final effort to pull patrons.

That said, many people who purchased their tickets early felt as though they were overcharged.

If you went to Epicenter Festival what were your experiences? Sound off in the comments below.

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