Money hungry stars, low US dollar exchange rates and dwindling ticket sales this time around are among causes for canceling Hultsfred Festival's 25th anniversary.

Adding to the woes, in recent years, the legendary Hultsfred festival has also faced a tidal wave of competition from smaller, specialized musical events, and the popularity of the free air rock rally, which was once peaceful and welcomed by both police and local communities, caused consternation due to alcohol, drug and violence in the area, and costs for control has risen sharply.

Since the first festival in 1986 was attended by 7,500 music loving rock fans, attendance has increased to a high point of 32,000 in 2005. This year, only 5,000 tickets were sold two weeks prior to opening, and the company behind it, Hultsfedsfestivalen AB, has filed for bankruptcy.

Håkan Durmér, spokesperson with the Hultsfred festival, would not venture to predict if the festival would ever be held again in the future.

For more info, see www.rockparty.se

The Swedish rock festival's 'big brother' in Denmark, the Roskilde Festival, meanwhile had a 75,000 record attendance and about 150 bands performing. From Patti Smith to Gorillaz the Roskilde event offers a diverse group of musicians. Prince delivered the final act with a concert that closed Roskilde Festival on July 4. (Roskilde is an ancient city, dating from the Viking Age and not far from Copenhagen in Zealand / Sjaelland)
For more info, see www.roskilde-festival.dk