SINGAPORE, March 8 — Future Music Festival Asia, due to take place at the Changi Exhibition Centre on March 13 and 14 has been cancelled, according to a statement issued by organisers Livescape Singapore Pte Ltd today.

The festival was due to be held in Singapore for the first time, and headlined by international acts including Afrojack, Avicii and The Prodigy. The show had also drawn big-name partners such as Citibank, Evian and William Grant & Sons — owner of brands such as Glenfiddich and Hendrick’s Gin.

“We are also aware of the many fans overseas that have made travel arrangements into Singapore for the festival. We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience you’ve been put through,” the statement said.

Full ticket refunds will be made available to all ticket buyers, details of which will be made available by tomorrow evening, according to organisers.

They added that they have set up a “care team” to answer concerns directly at support@futuremusicfestival.asia.

Livescape, which sold about 15,000 of the 20,000 tickets available for the two-day festival, had submitted applications for a public entertainment licence to the police in January and again last month, but were rejected both times, with the police citing “serious concerns” over potential drug abuse at the event.

Their appeal to the Minister for Home Affairs was dismissed on March 6.

Last year, organisers of the Kuala Lumpur festival had to pull the plug on the third day of the event after six Malaysians died of a drug overdose and another 16 people were hospitalised for drug-related reasons. Several Singaporeans were also hospitalised after a suspected drug overdose.

The statement also thanked “all artistes and event suppliers for their incredibly hard work and support during the last few days”.

“To the fans, we thank you for your patience and support.” — TODAY