Early Tuesday (Feb. 27), Country Fest Queensland issued a statement that John Fogerty had been dropped from its 2024 lineup due to “unforeseen circumstances.” But in a newly shared statement of his own, the Creedence Clearwater Revival founder said that he was just as surprised as fans that he wouldn’t be performing at the festival.
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“I was ready to celebrate with you all for my one and only show this year in Australia when the Country Fest Queensland blindsided me yesterday by canceling my appearance,” the singer-songwriter wrote in a message posted to his Instagram hours after the festival’s announcement. “It was posted that I would not be appearing due to unforeseen circumstances. Well, I can tell you, my friends, I was not the reason for the ‘unforeseen circumstances.'”
“I was ready to come down there and excited to celebrate getting my songs back with all of you,” he continued, adding: “Look for a further statement from me later today.”
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Before Tuesday, Fogerty was scheduled to give an exclusive performance at the Aussie festival during the weekend of March 30-31. Earlier this month, Country Fest posted on Instagram, “We’re all so excited to have @johnfogerty at Country Fest QLD for his exclusive Australian appearance.”
On Tuesday, however, the festival informed ticket holders that the “Old Man Down the Road” musician had been removed from the lineup — which also features Morgan Evans, the Zac Cross Band and more country artists — via a statement on social media. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, John Fogerty will no longer be attending our Country Fest QLD Lineup 2024 Event,” it read. “We are working hard on a revised line up and will have more information coming soon.”
“Country Fest QLD Team is keen on seeing the event happen with the remaining line up unchanged,” it continued. “For ticket holders who no longer wish to attend Country Fest QLD due to the non-appearance of John Fogerty, our ticketing partner Oztix will contact all current ticket holders via email to advise your refund options.”
Fogerty’s reps didn’t have anything to add beyond the musician’s already public statement when approached by Billboard for comment. Billboard has also reached out to Country Fest Queensland for clarification.
UPDATED: Tuesday night, Fogerty, accompanied by his dog, Creedence, posted to Instagram still expressing his confusion over what had occurred. “As far as I know, I’m ready willing and able to play [the festival]. It’s a big disappointment what’s going on right now. A shock, actually,” he said. “Sometimes things get complicated, beyond my grasp anyway.” He vowed that he would be in Australia soon and would play a song “like this one here” for his Australian fans before launching into a spirited version of CCR’s 1969 classic “Bad Moon Rising.”
See Fogerty and Country Fest QLD’s respective statements below.