At the eleventh hour, this weekend’s massive Hellfest in Trenton, N.J., has been canceled due to concerns over whether organizers’ insurance policy was adequate to cover the event.
Organizers blame the move on “unreasonable demands” made on them at the last minute by Sovereign Bank Arena, which was to host the three-day event beginning tomorrow (Aug. 19).
Among the acts confirmed to appear were Public Enemy, Killswitch Engage, Anti-Flag, the Misfits and Hatebreed. Refunds will be available from the Sovereign Bank Arena box office.
“It was going to be a great event and it had a lot of potential,” arena general manager Eric Cuthbertson told the Trentonian newspaper. “Unfortunately the event promoters failed to comply with the contractible obligation of the arena’s lease agreement. They failed to meet schedules and deadlines which forced us into a corner where we had to cancel the event.”
Helllfest organizer Shawn Vander Pohel told the paper that this year’s insurance policy was identical to the one utilized for the past five Hellfests and that the arena “found some loophole” allowing them to cancel the show.
“We send our deepest apologies out to the fans and everyone who was involved with the event and want you to be aware that legal action is being taken,” organizers said in a statement.
Meanwhile, a number of bands are scrambling to organize replacement shows in the area. The first will be held tomorrow at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, N.J., with sets from Unearth, Chimaira, God Forbid, Madball, Six Feet Under, Nora. the Banner and If Hope Dies.
