‘Dance the pain away’: Cancelled festival offers free party in Melbourne

Fans of a regional music festival in Victoria have a new chance to enjoy live music, despite the original event's cancellation. The Esoteric Psychedelic Circus Festival was set to take place over five days in Donald, starting on Friday. However, the festival was unexpectedly cancelled after the Buloke Shire Council refused to grant a necessary permit.

Organisers of the festival have now invited ticket-holders to a free event at the Melbourne Pavilion in Kensington on Sunday, March 9. In a recent social media post, they expressed excitement for attendees to experience performances by international artists who had travelled from across the globe to take part in the Esoteric 2025 festival.

Sam Goldsmith, the event organiser, emphasized that this free event is a way to show appreciation to loyal festival-goers and the DJs who arrived specifically for the festival. He noted, "We wanted to give back to the community and to the international DJs that travelled here for the festival." He also thanked Melbourne Pavilion for assisting in coordinating the event at such short notice, along with the food vendors who have adapted to the new venue.

While the event is free for those who purchased tickets, additional tickets will be available for sale at the venue. Originally, the Buloke Shire Council's officers had recommended refusing the planning permit for the festival, citing insufficient health and safety plans from the organisers. Last year, numerous festival attendees reported gastroenteritis symptoms, which drew attention to health concerns regarding the event.

Goldsmith contested the council's decision, asserting that he had received all necessary approvals from health and emergency services to continue hosting the festival. Just a few days prior to the cancellation, local councillors had voted to support the festival's initiation, despite staff recommendations to decline the permit.

However, the situation took a turn when it was revealed that the municipal building surveyor had declined the festival's application for a Place of Public Entertainment Occupancy Permit (PoPE-OP). According to a spokesperson from the council, this decision is mandated by the Building Act 1993 and cannot be overridden by council members.

Moving forward, the Esoteric Music Festival will be postponed until 2026. Organisers have noted that refunds will be available for ticket purchasers, though they also encourage supporters to keep their tickets, suggesting they will be valid for the rescheduled event. In their message, they said, "Esoteric has a place in this world and in our lives; we need your help to keep the dream alive."

Festival Highlights and Future Plans

The Esoteric Psychedelic Circus Festival has grown in popularity, known for its vibrant atmosphere showcasing various art forms and music genres, particularly in the psychedelic realm. As the festival looks ahead, the hope is to maintain its unique spirit and charm, making it a cherished highlight of the music festival calendar.

festival, Melbourne, music