As two of the biggest names on the bill for 2025’s Sick New World festival, Metallica and Linkin Park were reportedly guaranteed $5 million each for their performances alone. Unfortunately for both them and their fans, however, the Las Vegas festival was officially canceled this past Friday (Nov. 29).
“Despite our best efforts, we’ve encountered unforeseen circumstances that we were 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, both, alternative and heavy music,” the festival wrote in a statement Friday.
While no exact reason was given, according to Hits Daily Double Sick New World was cancelled because they failed to sell enough tickets to turn a profit. Their report claims that the event had only sold around 20,000 tickets, despite the venue having a capacity of 60,000. With Metallica and Linkin Park allegedly set to earn $5 million each, the festival needed to sell out in order to make up the costs.
It is being speculated that the lack of ticket sales for next year’s event was a result of higher than usual ticket prices ($472 for General Admission) and a different lineup than the festival’s previous two years.
Besides Metallica and Linkin Park, Sick New World’s 2025 lineup would have also featured Queens of the Stone Age, Evanescence, Ministry, Gojira, 311, Daron Malakian’s Scars on Broadway, Three Days Grace, Down, Mudvayne, Machine Head, Arch Enemy and many others.
