Malaga's Sophie Festival shut down "at last minute" by police alleging event was unlicensed

Around 6,000 ticketholders were denied entry to Malaga's Sophie Festival on New Year's Day after police alleged the event was "unlicensed".

Headlined by Richie Hawtin and Luciano, the open-air festival had been set to take over Malaga's Ogus Park from 12:PM on January 1 until 2:AM January 2.

However, crowds were met by riot units from local and national police forces — with festival organisers being forced to announce the event's cancellation an hour after it had been scheduled to begin, according to Spanish publication Sur.

Euro News Weekly reports that stages, lighting rigs and soundsystems were all in place on the site ready for the event, which was also set to see performances from Raresh, Sugar Free and Fonte.

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Police were ordered to halt the event after local councillors claimed promoters "did not present the necessary documentation" in time for the event "despite being "warned three times."

In a statement posted on Instagram, Sophie organisers said they were "appalled by the situation" claiming that "paperwork had been in order" in early December.

"We are appalled by the situation and the least we can do is to inform you in a transparent manner. On Monday, we received a request from the City Council asking for documentation that we had already submitted on December 3" they wrote.

"Yesterday, we managed to get a visit from the Town Hall technicians and their approval, but the festivities have made it difficult to find the person responsible for opening the file, certifying the technician’s documentation and authorising the event."

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"We have fought to the end and it breaks our hearts not to be able to open the doors even though we have had all the papers in order since December 3," Sophie Festival added in its statement.

"We have put all our heart and effort into this project, improving facilities, services and working with a team full of enthusiasm. Therefore, it is deeply painful for us to have to share this news."

Sophie Festival has promised refunds to all ticketholders due to the cancellation of the event, you can read the full statement below.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Instagram