Listen Out Had 'No Option' But To Accept Metro Boomin's Cancellation

Metro Boomin took to Instagram today (Sept. 26) to insist he didn’t pull out of Listen Out 2023 at the last minute — despite punters being informed just 24 hours before the event was due to take place.

After releasing his initial statement on Sept. 22, the American producer and DJ again returned to Instagram, claiming he’d cancelled “a months ago”.

“Australia and New Zealand I had to pull out du to personal reasons but I promise imma come back real soon and make it special,” he wrote on Instagram Stories.

“I also pulled out of the festival a month ago and would never do that to you last minute like that!!”

Despite the Superhero hitmaker’s claims, a spokesperson for Listen Out told Purple Sneakers that they had been in talks with the star’s team “until close to the first show”, but they did not hear back from his team in time.

“Listen Out is incredibly disappointed that Metro Boomin was unable to make it to DJ in Australia and NZ this year,” the spokesperson told Purple Sneakers.

“The festival was in extensive talks with his team until very close to the first show, working through various options to get him to Listen Out, eventually even including a live stream of Metro from the US to the Australian shows, and after that on an announcement including return dates in 2024 with a discount fan presale.”

“Unfortunately we did not hear back in time and after doing all that we could, we had no option but to accept the cancellation and shift the focus to finding a replacement artist.”

Issuing an initial statement about his departure via social media last on Sept. 22, Listen Out promoters wrote, “We are sad to report that Metro Boomin has postponed his Australian tour for personal reasons.”

“We can confirm that all other Listen Out / In artists (including Lil Uzi Vert, Ice Spice, Skrillex etc) are in Australia ready to play for you.”

Metro Boomin added, “To my fans in Australia, I’m deeply sorry to tell you I have had to call off my Australia/NZ tour starting this weekend. If you’re one of my true fans & you’ve been following my socials I hope you will understand. Please accept my heartfelt apologies”.

However, in exciting news for Aussie drill fans, ONEFOUR were later announced as a replacement, with one reviewer for Purple Sneakers saying of their Brisbane show: “You could feel the bass in your bones as they pulled together the performance of their lives. Running around the stage, the drill group were practically airborne as they rapped their way into our hearts.”

“They may have been a last-minute replacement, but they earned their way onto that line-up after their performance.”

If you’re heading this this year’s Listen Out, be sure to check out our ultimate guide on everything you need to know ahead of this year’s event.