Oceans Calling cancels Friday opening as nor'easter erodes festival site

Oceans Calling Festival has cancelled its Friday opening in Ocean City, Maryland, because of rough weather from a nor'easter.

Organisers announced on Thursday, Sept. 24, that the first day of the three-day weekend event would not go ahead on Friday, Sept. 25, according to Billboard.

The problem was the state of the site, not just the forecast. Organisers cited continued weather and beach erosion that had affected the festival grounds, leaving crews unable to safely complete the build in time for Friday. A nor'easter is a strong coastal storm that can bring high winds, heavy rain and heavy surf, conditions that can quickly strip sand from beaches.

Ocean City Emergency Services director Joe Theobald said the erosion was concentrated near the inlet, where much of the festival is constructed. The festival is staged on the Ocean City boardwalk, with stages and temporary event infrastructure placed close to the beach. When sand is lost in that area, there is less stable ground to finish the build and to operate safely.

Friday's cancelled bill included several of the weekend's most familiar names. Dave Matthews Band, Hootie & the Blowfish and Ludacris were due to perform. O.A.R., Yellowcard, Shaggy, Liz Phair, Everlast, Gavin DeGraw and Better Than Ezra were also on the Friday line-up.

The remainder of the weekend had a separate slate of performers. Saturday and Sunday were slated to feature Twenty One Pilots, Gwen Stefani, Goo Goo Dolls and Third Eye Blind. Mumford & Sons, Matchbox Twenty, Caamp and My Morning Jacket were also due to appear across the two days.

For ticket holders, the refund process will be automatic. One-day tickets for Friday will be refunded in full. People who bought three-day tickets through Front Gate Tickets, the ticketing company handling sales, will receive 33% of the ticket price back. Refunds are due within 30 days, Billboard reported.

For fans, this means a disrupted start to a seaside weekend. Anyone travelling specifically for a Friday set will need to change plans, while three-day ticket holders will need to wait for further updates on the Saturday and Sunday programme. The cancellation underlines how exposed outdoor events on the coastline can be when storms arrive during the final build.