Trends showed smaller boutique events were preferable to large-scale functions where people had to wait in line for drinks and couldn't get up close to the stage.
That is exemplified by a Sol3 Mio performance on February 24, 2015, which sold out Napier Municipal Theatre in record time. The trio comprising tenor brothers, Pene and Amitai Pati and their baritone cousin Moses Mackay, also filled a concert at Black Barn with Dame Malvina Major on the same date as last year's Mission Concert.
Mission promoters Sports Entertainment revealed on Wednesday they had been unsuccessful in their search for a suitable act.
It had become increasingly difficult to attract world-class artists who meet the concert's key drivers - affordable ticket prices, North Island exclusivity and a mid-summer timeframe.
Those issues were compounded by the availability of the stars, performing or tour schedules and the extra time needed to get performers to Hawke's Bay.
But promoter and Linden Estate Winery owner Greg Miller said one call was all it took to find someone to fill a gaping hole left by the announcement.
Getting on Facebook as soon as he heard of the cancellation, he secured February 28, as the date for a new concert.
"I spent all night trying to confirm an artist from Australia," he said. "At this stage I am in discussions with [Glenn Shorrock] the original singer from Little River Band, if that doesn't pan out I have got a plan B, working with a promoter I met a couple of years ago."
Having hosted notable Kiwi and overseas acts before, he knew there were untapped opportunities to utilise space in his vineyard and grow something unique. "I have done Valley Vibes before and it was always hard because you never knew what day to choose, [The Mission] held Hawke's Bay to ransom in February, even the weddings I have at the winery had to work around it because of accommodation etc.
"I'm not trying to steal their light, but there is plenty of room in the vineyard to keep making it bigger and bigger."
Mr Miller was also bringing the Beat Girls from Wellington on December 6, comedian GISH on January 4, and Tiki Taane for an intimate get together on Valentines Day.