KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 — A trance music festival set to take place over the weekend was cancelled at the last minute because of a permit application snafu.

A source within government agency Puspal said Transtellar 2018 was set to go ahead on Saturday if not for a late application submitted to DBKL by organisers Hybrid Entertainment.

(Puspal is the Central Agencies Committee for applications for filming and performances by foreign artistes.)

Hundreds of music lovers subsequently missed out on the likes of internationally renowned DJs Ferry Corsten and Standerwick who were to perform at Mitec (Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre) here.

Puspal is responsible for supplying the permit for foreign artistes to perform in Malaysia, granted the proposed talents meet their expectations.

But organisers are still required to submit a separate application to City Hall and ensure security clearance before an event can take place.

On Saturday, chaos reigned as the organisers scrambled to get the event going, even attempting to switch venue at the start of the night.

Sci-fi-themed trance festival Transtellar, held for the first time in Kuala Lumpur, was slated to start at 3pm before hitting a roadblock with authorities.

Some had already arrived when an announcement was published on the event’s Facebook page at 3.10pm to say, citing technical difficulties, doors wouldn’t open until 7pm.

Hybrid Entertainment said they did have the necessary approval to stage Transtellar but past 8pm, they were forced to inform ticket-holders the event had been relocated to Fuze nightclub in Kuala Lumpur.

They claimed an “unsatisfied party” had filed a complaint causing authorities to pull the plug at the eleventh hour.

Subsequently, fans (as well as artistes) made their way to Fuze where performances were set to start after 9pm.

“This was no issue with Puspal,” said the source

“The artistes were clean.”

But the venue switch only led to more disappointment as only John O’Callaghan from the slate of international artistes was able to play his set.

Headlining the bill was Dutchman Ferry Corsten, pioneer of the trance scene, who was set to debut his latest Gouryella 2.0 show here but did not play.

There was anger on social media from most with some fans claiming they had flown in from Australia to be there. Everyone demanded a refund.

Yesterday Hybrid Entertainment issued an apology to those who turned up.

“We are aware many fans overseas made travel arrangements into Malaysia for the festival. We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience.”

They said a refund by way of compensation structure would be arranged with details due to be revealed later today.

Attempts to reach Hybrid Entertainment for a comment have not been successful.