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Seven weeks ago, DeLuna Fest organizers were all smiles as they made the long-awaited announcement of their festival headliner, Grammy-winning multi-platinum rock band Linkin Park.
Tuesday, those smiles turned to expressions of shock and woe as the band announced it was pulling out of the music festival on Pensacola Beach, less than two weeks before its opening day.
The reason for the cancellation: A shoulder injury to co-lead singer Chester Bennington, requiring surgery which will have him incapacitated during the Oct. 16 evening when the band was meant to be on stage on Pensacola Beach, closing out the three-day festival. Bennington suffered the injury while on tour in Asia last month.
“As much as I was looking forward to rocking our final date with our Florida fans, I‘ve been advised to have immediate surgery, “ Bennington said in a statement released by DeLuna Fest's publicity firm, Right On! PR. “I’m sorry for any disappointment this has caused and look forward to seeing you again soon.”
"Disappointment" was the operative word at local radio station TK101, for which Linkin Park is a core act. Afternoon personality and assistant program director Mark "The Shark" Dyba said the station had been actively promoting the band's DeLuna Fest appearance.
"You can’t help medical issues," Dyba, said. "We’re horribly disappointed, but what are you gonna do?"
"That was the home run people were waiting for," added Joel Sampson, operations manager for TK101 and sister station Hit Music Now 107.3 FM. "I’m sure they’re scrambling to find someone, but who are you gonna find?"
While all festival tickets and materials indicate that purchase of a ticket does not guarantee the appearance of any given act on the subject-to-change bill, Scott Mitchell, managing partner with DeLuna Fest production company Five Flags Tourism Group, indicated that those who wish refunds for single-day Sunday tickets would be granted a refund. Weekend pass purchases, however, will not be refunded.
Sampson mentioned the fact that the bill still features more than 80 acts, with lots of entertainment to be had throughout the weekend.
"My suggestion is if you’ve got a ticket, start discovering these bands so you get your money’s worth,"Sampson said. "It’s still going to be a great weekend on the beach."
Sampson and Dyba mentioned AWOLNATION, Girl Talk, Mutemath, Manchester Orchestra and Jonathan Tyler and Northern Lights as acts they were looking forward to seeing and that they believed would appeal to listeners of their stations.
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