The Sick New World Festival, which was set to take place in Las Vegas on April 12, 2025, has been canceled. The organizers made the announcement on social media, expressing their disappointment but offering little explanation as to why the event will no longer occur.
In their statement, they wrote: “It is with great disappointment that we announce that Sick New World will no longer take place in Las Vegas on April 12, 2025. Despite our best efforts, we’ve encountered unforeseen circumstances that we are unable to overcome for next year’s show. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the dedicated SNW fans who had made plans to join us for another cultural celebration of hard rock, goth, alternative, and heavy music. Please stay tuned for further and future information regarding Sick New World.”
The organizers also assured ticket buyers that they would be automatically refunded.
The festival had been set to feature massive headliners, including Linkin Park and Metallica, alongside a stellar lineup featuring Evanescence, Queens of the Stone Age, Acid Bath, Gojira, Mastodon, and many others.
Some industry insiders speculate that the “unforeseen circumstances” may have been related to disappointing ticket sales. General admission tickets for Sick New World 2025 started at $400, which increased to $450, a significant rise from the 2023 event tickets, which were priced at $250. For comparison, the cost to attend the four-day Welcome to Rockville festival is $350 plus fees.
Music journalist Eddie Trunk weighed in, suggesting that rising band guarantees could be a contributing factor. “All I hear from promoters is how bands’ guarantees are sky high and going up every year. Which in turn is passed on to you, the ticket buyer, in the pricing of tickets. Factor in more shows than ever on the road and unfortunately, you are going to see more of this, I fear,” he said.
Another possibility is that adding heavyweights like Metallica and other acts could have reduced excitement for the festival, which was initially marketed as a nostalgia-focused event celebrating nu-metal bands like System of a Down and Korn.
