A Double Dose of Disappointment: All-American Rejects & Knocked Loose Scrap Australian Tours

Oh, what a gut punch for Australian music fans! Just when anticipation was building, a double dose of unfortunate news has hit the scene, leaving many concert-goers utterly deflated. Both the beloved pop-punk stalwarts, The All-American Rejects, and the fierce hardcore titans, Knocked Loose, have officially pulled the plug on their upcoming tours down under. It's certainly not the news anyone wanted to hear as the summer festival season approaches.

For fans of The All-American Rejects, the cancellation stings particularly hard. The band, known for anthems like "Dirty Little Secret" and "Gives You Hell," was set to grace the stages of the Good Things Festival and headline a series of their own shows across the country. The official word from the band cited "unforeseen circumstances" and, more specifically, a "personal health matter" concerning a band member. While no one wants to see their favorite artists unwell, frontman Tyson Ritter later confirmed on social media that he was indeed the one facing a health issue, reassuring fans he was on the mend but needed time. Their statement conveyed deep regret, promising to make it up to their Australian faithful as soon as humanly possible. Of course, tickets for their standalone shows are fully refundable, which is at least a small comfort amidst the disappointment.

Not long after, the heavy music community received its own blow. Knocked Loose, the Kentucky-based hardcore outfit renowned for their intense live performances, also announced they wouldn't be making the journey to Australia. They were slated to bring their powerful sound to the Good Things Festival and had a handful of headline shows lined up as well. Their reasoning was a bit more vague, simply stating "circumstances out of our control." Whatever those circumstances may be, it's undoubtedly a huge letdown for their dedicated fanbase who were eager to experience their raw energy firsthand. Like The All-American Rejects, Knocked Loose expressed sincere regret to their Australian supporters, and refunds for their solo shows are available.

So, what does this mean for the Good Things Festival itself? Well, despite losing two significant acts from its impressive lineup, the festival organizers have confirmed that the show will, indeed, go on. While AAR and Knocked Loose will be sorely missed, the festival still boasts a formidable roster of artists ready to rock audiences in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane this December. It’s a bittersweet moment for Australian concert-goers; two much-loved bands won't be visiting this time around, but the broader music celebration continues. Here's hoping both bands can recover fully and make their way back to Australia in the not-too-distant future.