A THREE-day music festival which was due to raise cash for the NHS has been called off due to insufficient ticket sales, with organisers blaming the state of the economy.
The inaugural Kirkcaldy Breakout Festival was due to take place from May 27 to 29 on the town's Esplanade with stellar acts including Big Country, Wet Wet Wet, and Midge Ure lined up to perform.
But organisers have blamed the "current economic climate" for poor ticket sales which has led to them being unable to hold it.
Other artists booked to perform included Callum Beattie, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Hue and Cry, and Sandi Thom.
The main stage was due to be named after local singer Paige Dougall who died aged 17 in January after battling Ewing's Sarcoma, a disease that attacks the bones.
Kirkcaldy MP Neale Hanvey said the cancellation was a sign of just how much the cost-of-living crisis is beginning to bite.
He said: “I am deeply disappointed that Breakout has had to be cancelled. I know first-hand how hard Ian Arnott and his team have worked to pull this event off and it’s such a shame the local bands selected to play on the main stage will now not realise that ambition.
“The impact of the cost-of-living crisis is really beginning to bite and folk just don’t have any spare cash. What is most frustrating is that the current economic circumstances were a completely predictable consequence of Tory economic policy. The chancellor has the means and the opportunity to stop this crisis in its tracks, but he chooses not to do so.
“This is as clear an illustration you can get that poverty is a deliberate political choice and why Scotland must unshackle itself from Westminster rule completely as a matter of great urgency."
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In a statement posted on social media, organisers said the decision to cancel had been taken with "enormous regret".
It continued: "It is with enormous regret that we have to announce the cancellation of Breakout.
"The current economic climate has contributed to a level of ticket sales that make live events unviable.
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"We would like to offer all our thanks to all the bands, partner agencies and suppliers who have continued to give us their full support right to the last minute."
The festival was originally due to take place last October but organisers decided to delay it due to a spike in Covid cases caused by the Omicron variant.
As well as the main stage, the plans featured a fairground and an acoustic tent which would become a dance tent at night.
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