Metal Anarchy

As previously reported, a ticket link recently surfaced online for an apparent 2024 edition of the Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Alton, VA. The news caught a number of fans off guard considering the disastrous situation that played out at last year’s event. Now, organizers have officially addressed the situation, saying tickets were never on sale for 2024.

Executive producer Cara Fischer told WDBJ 7 that the pre-sale was related to an out-of-date website. She added:

“Tickets for 2024 are not currently on sale and have not been for several months while we work to provide a resolution to 2023 fans. The Festival follows the lead and direction of multiple distinguished insurance law firms and a public adjuster concerning public statements. As much as doing so has crippled us publicly, we have been informed that we have acted by the book in accordance with the event’s insurance policy and anticipate a positive resolution soon. Please know that we are committed to delivering a great experience for our fans and supported in 2024 and beyond.”

The report went on to say that organizers were previously booking bands for 2024, but it appears those plans were not solidified. The Halifax County Administrator even confirmed that they were not alerted about a possible event.

As previously reported, organizers claimed the 2023 edition of the festival was cancelled due to weather, but various reports suggested it was actually halted due to poor working conditions, sanitary issues, an employee strike, and more. There was even an investigation being launched by the Virginia Department of Health due to reports of illness.

Interestingly, it seems the past Blue Ridge Rock Festivals had issues as well. According to WDBJ 7, the organizers just settled a lawsuit that required them to give Sunbelt Rentals $669,092.81 for failing to pay for equipment in 2022. Two other lawsuits are also active, including one regarding the cancelled 2023 festival and one regarding bartenders who were allegedly not paid in 2021 and 2022.