Organizers of the Soundside Music Festival have abruptly canceled this year’s event, just two months before showtime, citing reasons outside their control. The festival’s team posted a notice on Friday (July 25) announcing the decision. “Due to circumstances beyond our control, Soundside Music Festival has been cancelled,” the statement read, adding that all tickets will be refunded to the original method of payment within the next 30 days. The news has disappointed thousands of fans who were planning to attend the two-day festival, which was set for September 27–28 at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Soundside’s 2025 lineup was packed with big-name acts – The Killers, Hozier, and Vampire Weekend were slated to headline, alongside artists like Weezer, Japanese Breakfast, Djo, and more. This would have been only the second annual Soundside Festival, after a successful debut last year. The sudden cancellation and even the festival’s social media pages being deleted have prompted speculation about what went wrong. Low ticket sales appear to be a major factor. Thomas Gaudett, an official with the City of Bridgeport, noted that advance sales were lagging. “We have seen fewer attendees than we have in the last few years, and that may have had an impact on the decision to cancel,” Gaudett told CT Insider, suggesting the event struggled to sell enough tickets. Organizers have not publicly elaborated beyond the “circumstances” statement, leaving some festival-goers frustrated by the lack of explanation. For now, attendees are being advised on how to obtain refunds, and artists are adjusting tour plans. While Connecticut music fans are lamenting the lost opportunity to see their favorite bands by the seaside, city leaders remain hopeful the festival (or something like it) might return in the future under more favorable conditions.
