SAGA Festival 2024: Organizers Respond to Controversies and Cancellations

The 2024 edition of the SAGA Festival, held in Bucharest, faced significant backlash due to numerous issues, including artist cancellations and logistical failures. In an interview with HotNews.ro, the festival’s Dutch organizers, Allan Hardenberg (photo) and Thomas Vandewalle, addressed the accusations and outlined their perspective on the events that transpired, and Business Review contacted them for further clarifications.

One of the most controversial issues was the last-minute cancellation of performances by headliners such as Hardwell and Nicki Minaj. Allegations surfaced claiming these artists were not paid, which the organizers vehemently denied. Hardenberg and Vandewalle provided bank statements (photos below) as proof that payments were made in advance, including to Hardwell, who had claimed on stage that he had not received his fee. Hardenberg expressed his shock at Hardwell’s on-stage outburst and indicated that legal action might be considered due to the damage caused by these false claims.

Regarding Nicki Minaj, the organizers revealed that her cancellation came as a surprise just hours before her performance, citing security concerns over a planned protest in Bucharest. Despite reassurances from local authorities about the safety and insignificance of the protest, Minaj’s team decided to cancel. Hardenberg mentioned that they were investigating the matter and consulting with lawyers, as all contractual obligations were fulfilled from their end.

“We feel that the message our fans need to understand is that the artists’ decisions are beyond our control. We have done everything in our power as organizers to accommodate all of their requirements, starting with payments and ending with technical riders. SAGA has suffered a lot as a festival and as a brand as a result of the decisions of some of the artists in the line-up. No event organizer wants a booked artist not to perform, or not to give respect to fans on stage. We are still doing everything we can to remedy the situation for our fans and are offering refunds on tickets, including for those who were at the festival, and enjoyed all the other shows.” Allan Hardenberg, CEO of SAGA told Business Review.
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The festival also faced severe criticism for the lack of promised amenities, such as drinking water points, adequate toilets, and functional wristband payment systems. Hardenberg and Vandewalle responded by stating that there was a misunderstanding regarding the water points, which were intended for handwashing rather than drinking. They claimed that these facilities were provided inside a dedicated hangar but might not have been easily located by attendees.

On the issue of payment with wristbands, Vandewalle acknowledged the challenges but explained that the system was designed for drink purchases, while food could be bought using cash or cards. He admitted that despite clear instructions at refill booths, the communication might not have been effective enough to avoid confusion.

Reflecting on the festival’s challenges, Hardenberg mentioned that while they had faced similar issues in the past, efforts were made to improve facilities based on previous feedback. However, the unpredictable nature of artist cancellations remained a significant hurdle. He noted that the festival had grown substantially since its inception, which came with growing pains that they were continuously addressing.

Looking ahead, the organizers are committed to holding the SAGA Festival in 2025, which will mark its fifth anniversary. Hardenberg emphasized their long-term dedication to Bucharest and hinted at lessons learned, particularly regarding the booking of certain genres of artists. Despite the setbacks, they remain optimistic and determined to make future editions successful and problem-free.

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