A music festival director says the business is not for everyone.

This comes after a number of festivals have been cancelled this summer because of low ticket sales.

LISTEN: Director of February's Splore festival John Minty speaks with Tim Dower 

The cancellation of the Australian music festival Soundwave means Kiwis will miss out too - with bands planning on heading across the ditch afterwards to play at Westfest in Kumeu no longer coming this way.

Bands NOFX, Hatebreed, and Refused were to headline the Auckland punk and metal festival on January 30.

Punk band NOFX has since flagged its Australian and New Zealand tour this year, following the cancellation of Soundwave.

One other act has cancelled and Westfest organisers are still waiting to hear from a third headline act about whether they will come to New Zealand.

Echo Festival, a two-day Auckland event, which was originally planned for McLaren Falls near Tauranga, was also cancelled in Novemeber following its collapse.

Director of February's Splore festival John Minty says the industry is appealing to get into, but a lot of organisers struggle to be consistent with their product.

"Investors quite often make the decision to chop and change the types of acts that they have because they just think 'if we book this act we'll sell a lot of tickets'. They forget the target market they need to appeal to every year."

John Minty says the reason Splore continues to be successful, is it's not just about the music, but also a wide range of activities.

Future of Westfest uncertain

In a statement on Facebook, Westfest organisers wrote: "Due to a pending discussion with a contracted artist Westfest is unable to confirm any decision made about the festival's continuation in 2016.

"However, as there is only one band left standing, Westfest is automatically processing 100 per cent refunds for all ticket holders.

"Updates to follow. We thank you for your patience and appreciate your need for answers. For now no more tickets are going to be available as the future for Westfest 2016 is unknown.

"For those with travel plans, these bands are playing at Ding Dong lounge on January 30, regardless of Westfest's fate."

Bands still playing are Dawn Of Azaze, Bulletbelt and Stonehurst.

The news follows the collapse of Echo Festival, a two-day Auckland event, which was originally planned for McLaren Falls near Tauranga.