The Hard Club, once considered the heart of Amplifest, has become unviable for another edition due to a sudden 400% increase in rental costs, according to festival organizer André Mendes.
Amplifest, which would have marked its tenth edition in 2024, is a small-scale independent festival hosted in Porto, known for featuring bands such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Oxbow, Chelsea Wolfe, Peter Brötzmann, Swans, Wovenhand, William Basinski, and Neurosis.
“It is completely unfeasible for us to handle a 400% increase to stay at the Hard Club. We cannot charge €300 per ticket to make up for it,” Mendes explained. “We have received numerous inquiries from both Portugal and abroad about the next edition, so we decided to announce that there will be no Amplifest this year.”
Mendes described the cancellation as a significant setback for Amplificasom, the event’s promoter, but assured that they are actively seeking a new venue capable of hosting rotating stages for renowned and emerging artists alike.
In a statement, Amplificasom mentioned they have yet to find an adequate alternative despite considering “various possibilities in Porto, Lisbon, and even smaller cities that could match the event’s unique characteristics.”
“We firmly believe that Amplifest remains essential and vital for the region. We will continue to fight against the city’s gentrification and cultural homogenization that is stifling independent art,” the promoter declared.
Furthermore, the promoter plans to soon announce concerts by some of the bands that would have performed at this year’s Amplifest.
