From Iceland — Secret Solstice Organisers Apologise

Secret Solstice Organisers Apologise

Published June 22, 2016

Andie Sophia Fontaine
Photo by
Magnús Elvar Jónsson

Spokespeople for the Secret Solstice festival have issued an apology for some of the mishaps that arose.

As reported, numerous guests to the festival have complained that lines were entirely too long and poorly organised, leaving many who bought tickets shut out of concerts they paid to see. Vísir reports the organisers have issued a statement and an apology on the matter.

“At a giant festival with thousands of guests, you can always assume that the unforeseeable can happen,” the statement reads in part. “This was unfortunately the case last weekend. We apologise to all of our guests who were inconvenienced.”

The organisers mention the fact that lines to see Radiohead were “far too long”. The “unforeseeable” likely did not include the waits to see Radiohead, as it was reported last January that the festival had sold far more tickets than Laugardalshöll, where Radiohead played, had capacity to hold. Organisers at the time contended that they believed there would be enough room for everybody, as not everyone coming to the festival were all going to see the same acts at the same time.

What was unforeseeable, however, was the daily of Die Antwoord’s flight to Iceland, which Secret Solstice organisers said left them having to make one of “two bad choices”: cancel the concert, or move it indoors. This resulted in long lines to see the band perform, but organisers made a point to praise staff and volunteers for their hard work.

“We are incredibly proud of what we have done in just three years,” the statement concludes. “We will carry on, and organise a fabulous Secret Solstice festival next year.”

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