This is Kent --DISAPPOINTED music lovers took to Twitter and Facebook after promoter Vince Power announced the Hop Farm Festival's cancellation.
The event in Paddock Wood would normally attract about 10,000 music fans – acts in recent years included Elton John, Prince, Mumford and Sons and the Eagles – but this year only around 2,000 tickets were sold.
Posting on the Hop Farm Facebook page last weekend, organisers said due to poor ticket sales and little prospect of hitting 10,000, the festival would make substantial losses if it went ahead.
One Facebook user posted: "Last year I asked my girl if she wanted to marry me while my favourite artist Richard Ashcroft was performing. I came especially from Belgium to see him! We'll never forget the Hop Farm!"
Another music lover said: "Prince, the Eagles, Seasick Steve, 10cc, Mumford and Sons – drinking cider in sun won't be forgotten – sad times. A great festival will be missed."
But some unlucky fans were not surprised to hear the news.
Nick Pope, from Tunbridge Wells, said: "After the first cancellation and then reduced line-up plus the Hop Farm going into receivership, it's hardly surprising."
The future of the festival looked uncertain last September after Mr Power's company, Music Festivals, called in the administrators. However, in February this year supporters were reassured that the event would be returning.
Through their Twitter account earlier this year, the organisers said: "To all our loyal loving farmers out there – Hop Farm Festival 2013 is 100 per cent happening! Who's hopping down to Kent then?"
Organisers said in their announcement that the cancellation had no reflection on the artists but instead highlighted the poor state of the economy.
But some fans consider this a cop-out.
Die-hard festival fan Philip Fitzpatrick, from West Malling, said: "If they can't afford to put the big bands on, they should focus on local bands and keep the cost down as a result.
"Kent is unique – we shouldn't be competing with the bigger festivals like V and Glastonbury. Festivals in this area used to be thriving but it's become all about the money."
The Hop Farm Festival was famous for being low-key, run with no sponsorship or branding.
Acts for July 5 and 6 had included The Lightning Seeds, My Bloody Valentine and The Horrors.
Sarah Hamilton, chairman of Paddock Wood Town Council, said: "I am really shocked and sad to hear the news. It really is a great shame.
"I know a lot of people were looking forward to it, myself included. I was there last year and it was very well organised. I'm sure there will be a lot of people left very disappointed." Reported by This is 3 days ago.