By Florentina-Mirela, Cercel
Festival enthusiasts, fear not, this summer might just be the best one yet.
With the government’s new roadmap to ease lockdown, organisers have announced the lineups for this summer, with festivals going forward on later dates as expected, in order for everyone to get a chance at enjoying the COVID-19 free life.
From the 21st of June, it is expected that all legal social limits on social contact can be removed, as previously announced by Boris Johnson, and there’s hope for night clubs, and larger events including festivals, to greet people with open arms.
Here are some key information released by the government regarding festivals:
- From May 17 at the earliest, indoor venues will be allowed to host performances with a capacity of either 1,000 people or half-full, whichever is lower. At outdoor venues, the capacity increases to 4,000 or half-full, whichever is lower. In “the largest outdoor seated venues, where crowds can be spread out”, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend, or quarter-full, whichever is lower.
- From June 21 at the earliest, all social distancing rules are set to be removed, which seemingly signals a green light for festivals of all sizes to return.
What festivals are on this summer?
People have enthusiastically purchased festival tickets to secure their ultimate summer.
Although some rather famous UK festivals have been postponed and cancelled for 2021 – for example Glastonbury Festival, Download Festival and Kew The Music have all been moved up to next year, hoping that by then, the pandemic will be over – other festivals have announced their updated dates, most of them having to move up later in the summer.
Reading Festival and Leeds festival have announced their dates and released tickets for 25th to 29th of August, with amazing lineups that include artists such as: Lewis Capaldi, Stormzy, Beabadoobee, The Wombats, Bloxx and others.
The Neighbourhood Weekender, 3rd to 5th of September, have revealed their lineups that feature upcoming bands and artists like Cassia, Sea Girl, Phoebe Green, The Lathums, The Pigeon Detectives and many more.
The Isle of Wight festival have also announced that they have moved their original dates to September, from 16th to 19th, declaring that “We’re thrilled to be able to welcome everyone to the island in September” and that “We’re aiming to bring back as many of the artists as we can but whatever happens, rest assured, you’ll enjoy a stellar line-up over the festival weekend.”
Other festivals announced:
- Hampton Court Palace festival, 8th to 16th of August
- Dot to Dot, 25th to 26th of September
- BST Hyde Park Festival, 9th to 11th of July
- Rewind Festival, 23rd to 25th of July
- Standon Calling Festival, 22nd to 25th of July
- + many others
Whether or not the festivals are taking place this year, it is a matter of waiting to see what the government advises further.
England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty announced today that Britain will see a resurgence of coronavirus at some point, and that caution in re-opening the economy would affect the size and timing of it. Witty added that “The ratio of cases to deaths will go right down as a result of vaccination, but not right down to zero, unfortunately.”
Will this summer be finally the summer we all have been waiting for? Only time will tell.
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