Controversy at Listen Out Perth as Artist Lithe Withdraws, Fans Upset

An unexpected turn of events occurred at the Listen Out music festival in Perth on Saturday when Australian artist Lithe was removed from the lineup. The festival, popular for showcasing a variety of musical acts, has sparked frustration among fans with this last-minute change.

The Listen Out organizers announced, “Welcoming Aria-nominated Kobie Dee back to Listen Out. We’re not sure if Lithe is going to make it, but if he does, we’re going to try and squeeze him in!” This ambiguous message led to an uproar among attendees who were eager to see Lithe perform.

Adding to the confusion, Lithe himself posted a brief update on Instagram that did not directly explain his absence. Instead, his post featured a video of Big Ben, leading fans to speculate if the artist had chosen to travel to London instead of performing at the festival.

The lack of clarity did not sit well with fans. One user voiced their disappointment by asking, “You showing up to Perth or…” while another commented sarcastically, “Enjoyyyy bro while a dozen of your fans in Perth waittedddd.”

Criticism was not only directed towards Lithe but also at the organizers of Listen Out. Some attendees criticized the festival’s management, with one fan labeling it the “biggest joke in Australian festival history.” Another dissatisfied attendee declared, “Won’t be returning next year, Listen Out’s reputation needs serious work after this.”

The controversy surrounding Lithe’s disappearance wasn’t the only challenge for the event. Prior to the festival, another prominent artist, Tyla, had also pulled out. Despite these withdrawals, the event did feature headline performances from big names such as 21 Savage, Skepta, and John Summit, which managed to excite those who attended.