Drumcode Malta cancelled as event planners Pollen on the brink of collapse

Another one bites the dust. An all too familiar situation has arisen with yet another one of 2022’s most anticipated festivals having to cancel. 

Renowned Techno imprint Drumcode’s summer festival in Malta was planned from September 15-19, with 50 acts scheduled to play shows across various heritage sites and venues island-wide.

Sadly, as confirmed in a statement on their Instagram page, the record label and party brand founded by Adam Beyer accused Pollen of “serious failings” and a “lack of communication”, leaving them no choice but to pull out of the event.

According to Sky News, the taxpayer-backed events start-up that has sold travel experiences featuring Duran Duran and Justin Bieber is on the “brink of collapse just months after raising $150m in fresh funding.”

It’s believed that Pollen, who have ben unable to pay their staff, could crash into administration as soon as Wednesday 10th August, with city sources saying “hopes of finding a buyer had faded in recent days”.

In light of the latest cancellation, Drumcode’s team said: “We are heartbroken to have to give you the news that, due to accumulation of unresolved problems with Pollen,

“We no longer have confidence in their ability to deliver the rigorous high standards of safety and customer experience we demand of an event presented under our name.”

“We have made every effort to work with them to resolve these issues, but despite their repeated assurances, critical deadlines passed at the end of last week without the necessary improvements being made.”

Drumcode worryingly also stated that they “have received no money from Pollen for the event,” and therefore were not at the capacity to offer refunds to ticketholders, instead sharing customer service email addresses for Pollen.

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