By Creamfields, one of the world’s leading electronic music festivals is the first UK festival to announce sell out when it makes its return this Summer, becoming its fastest selling show to date.
Reading and Leeds Festival organisers have now said they’re “very confident” the events will go ahead this August. There are also limited tickets now available for Reading and Leeds, including headliner acts Liam Gallagher, Queens of the Stone Age set to take to the Leeds main stage on Friday 27th August.
Stormzy and Catfish and the Bottlemen for Saturday and Post Malone and Disclosure on Sunday Main stage at Leeds.
Official R and L
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) says the “2021 festival season is by no means guaranteed at this point” and that “major festivals such as Reading and Leeds are not a barometer for the whole market.”
They add: “There is still the chance of widespread cancellations if data around covid cases does not meet the Government’s requirements and lockdown easing is delayed.
“It is still an enormous risk for any independent festival to commit costs and proceed up to June 14 without insurance.
“We therefore once again call on the Government to urgently intervene with a Government-backed insurance scheme and extend the VAT reduction to 5% beyond the end of March.”
Parklife, Boomtown Festival and 2000 Tress Festival are amongst other UK festivals which are set to go ahead this summer. Glastonbury however is still currently cancelled for this year.
But is it all too soon? Is it possible to keep socially distanced at a festival?
“People singing and small spaces are perfect ways for the virus to spread,” explains virologist Dr Naomi Forrester-Soto to the BBC.
“The virus is transmitted as you breathe or as you talk or as you sing. The louder you are, the more air you expel from your lungs – and if you’re infected, the more virus you expel from your lungs.”
In other words, singing makes you more infectious.
Dr Forrester-Soto says it’s wrong to think festivals will be safe just because they’re outside.
“If you’re all huddled together and singing loudly, there are still big risks.”
BBC Information on Festivals so far
MAY
Radio 1 Big Weekend – No news at this stage.
JUNE
Download – Announcement expected by 1 March.
Glastonbury – Cancelled.
JULY
TRNSMT – Still optimistic of going ahead, more news expected early March.
AUGUST
Boomtown – No decision.
Creamfields – Going ahead.
Reading and Leeds – Going ahead.
Notting Hill Carnival– Preparing for every eventuality but no decision yet.
SEPTEMBER
Parklife – Going ahead.
