Cyclone Narelle Forces Scarborough Beach Weekender Music Festival Postponement
The Scarborough Beach Weekender, a highly anticipated live music event scheduled for this weekend, has been officially postponed due to dangerous weather conditions associated with Cyclone Narelle. Organisers have rescheduled the festival to the weekend of April 11-12, prioritising the safety of attendees, artists, and staff.
Safety Concerns Lead to Event Rescheduling
Originally set to take place across Saturday and Sunday, the festival faced increasing weather threats that prompted a last-minute decision. On Wednesday, local event producer Palace J Entertainment indicated the event would proceed unless conditions became unsafe. By Thursday evening, organisers confirmed the postponement, citing severe weather forecasts that made it impossible to ensure a secure environment.
"As fun as dancing in the rain would've been, the safety of our patrons, artists, and staff is always our top priority. With the weather conditions this weekend, it's simply not safe for us to go ahead with the shows," a statement from the organisers read. "We know this isn't the news everyone was hoping for but trust us, we didn't want this either. But Narelle had other plans and ultimately, your safety comes first, and this is the right call."
New Dates and Ticket Information
The festival has been moved to April 11-12, with the support of the City of Stirling and the performing acts. Ticket holders do not need to take any action, as all existing tickets will remain valid for the new dates. This includes hotel bookings made in association with the event. Refunds are available through Oztix for those unable to attend the rescheduled dates, with instructions sent via email.
The lineup features prominent Australian and New Zealand headliners, including:
- Xavier Rudd, scheduled to perform on Sunday, April 12
- Thornbird
- L.A.B
- Corella
This event was billed as the first large-scale live concert experience at the coastal hotspot's amphitheatre in over a decade, adding to the disappointment of the postponement.
Artist and Community Support
Performers have expressed support for the decision to reschedule rather than cancel the event entirely. Finn Alexander and the Forever Party commented, "And the show goes on! Love your work gang. Let not the weather Gods stamp us out." Supporting act SUB-TRIBE added, "Well handled team!! Tough call but safety first. Absolute legends."
The postponement follows other weather-related disruptions in the region, such as American country singer Jordan Davis relocating his outdoor ICF Summer Factory show to the fully enclosed RAC Arena this Saturday night.
Weather Impact and Broader Context
Cyclone Narelle has caused significant weather disturbances across Western Australia, leading to multiple event cancellations and safety warnings. While Perth's record rainfall threat has somewhat faded, the region continues to experience wet conditions, underscoring the necessity of the festival's postponement. Organisers emphasised their commitment to community safety, ensuring the event can proceed successfully under better conditions in April.
