The Hey Neighbour festival, which made a celebrated debut on the South African festival scene in 2023, has left its fans in a state of frustration and anger over delayed refunds for a subsequently cancelled comeback. Initially, the festival captivated music enthusiasts with its world-class performances, interactive installations, and an electrifying atmosphere. Its inaugural edition set a remarkably high standard, featuring global music icons such as Kendrick Lamar and Swedish House Mafia as major headliners. The diverse lineup also included acclaimed artists like Rema, H.E.R., and The Chainsmokers, alongside prominent South African acts such as Black Coffee, Zakes Bantwini, and Sho Madjozi.

Building upon this initial success and strong reputation, excitement for the 2025 edition of Hey Neighbour soared when the festival announced Doja Cat as its main headliner. Doja Cat, renowned for her genre-defying sound and chart-topping hits including "Say So," "Kiss Me More," and "Paint the Town Red," has rapidly ascended to become one of the most influential artists of her generation. The lineup further expanded to include other significant stars such as Central Cee and Leon Thomas, which fueled a significant buying frenzy among fans. This widespread faith was largely attributed to Glen21 Entertainment, the highly experienced event management agency behind the festival, which had a proven track record.

However, despite the thriving initial outlook, the music eventually stopped for the highly anticipated 2025 event, leading to its cancellation. Consequently, fans who purchased tickets for the festival are now stuck waiting and fuming over the delayed refunds. Daily Maverick has engaged with consumer law experts to discuss the available avenues for festival-goers to reclaim their money, highlighting the legal complexities and potential actions attendees can take in this situation. The situation remains unresolved, leaving many questioning the next steps to recover their investments. However, in...