This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Business News Live Business
All Points East, Lovebox and Parklife festivals cancel
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 30 March 2020
The number of UK summer festivals now cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow. Live Nation has announced the cancellation of two further festivals in June, while its rival AEG has cancelled its ten day All Points East festival, which was due to take place at the end of May.
Lovebox and Parklife both take place over the same weekend in early June as two larger Live Nation festivals – The Isle Of Wight Festival and Download – both of which were cancelled last week.
In a statement, Lovebox said: “We’ve been closely monitoring this unprecedented situation and it has become clear that it’s just not possible for this year’s festival to go ahead. The entire Lovebox family was so excited to share with you the best line-up in our history and to extend the Lovebox vibe across three days this year and we send our apologies to everyone who was looking forward to it as much as we were”.
Parklife added: “This decision has not been taken lightly and of course we’re really disappointed, we really did try to make this work, but ultimately it was unavoidable”.
In its statement, All Points East said: “Following the daily escalating developments in the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the difficult decision that All Points East 2020 will be cancelled. The decision was made following a constant review of recent government actions and statements, and after further consultation with key partners and agencies it is clear that we are unable to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of those working at and attending the event”.
“Alongside the now enforced period of social isolation, the government has stated that emergency services will not be able to support major events”, it went on. “Furthermore, the projected strain that is being placed on the NHS will push this institution and its staff to levels never seen before. It is therefore inconceivable for us to add any distraction to these organisations. We are fortunate to work alongside the emergency services at our events and want to take this opportunity to express our company’s heartfelt gratitude and admiration for all their professionalism and dedication in tackling this crisis”.
“We have a responsibility to our staff, fans, event workers, suppliers and sponsors and for this reason, we felt compelled to seek answers to all our questions before making this final decision”, the statement added. “However, safety always comes first and what is happening across the world clearly takes precedent and there was simply no alternative”.
All three festivals are offering refunds to ticketholders and have confirmed that they will return in 2021.
