More Prominent Festival Cancellations In Europe

East Europe’s most famous festival, Sziget in Hungary, was forced to cancel after the Hungarian government extended the ban on large events until August 15.

The festival, which usually attracts more than half a million guests over the course of a week in August, is part of the event portfolio of investment firm Superstruct, which also had to cancel Balaton Sound and Volt festivals in the region.

In the UK, Festival Republic cancelled the 2020 edition of Latitude, scheduled for July 16-19. “We’ve been closely monitoring this unprecedented situation and it’s become clear that it’s just not possible for this year’s festival to go ahead,” a promoter statement on the festival’s website reads.

Festival Republic hasn’t made any announcements regarding its other events yet, including Reading, Leeds and Wireless in the UK as well as Electric Picnic in Ireland. 

The statement published with the Latitude announcement, however, as well as the overall trend in Europe, suggest there’s little hope for a UK festival summer this year.

Popular Scottish boutique concert series Summer Nights at the Bandstand also had to scrap its 2020 edition. Promoter Mark Mackie told Pollstar, that, “amazingly the artists are making it possible to reschedule and committing already for 2021. It’s a fantastic show of solidarity.”

The new dates are July 29-Aug. 14, 2021. Most artists have already confirmed their show, making it possible to reschedule most dates on their equivalent days in 2021. The list includes Suzanne Vega, Belinda Carlisle, Rufus Wainwright, Van Morrison (sold out), and more. Only one act, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, which had already sold out this year, was still working on his schedule at press time.

Tickets for this year’s concerts are valid for the rescheduled shows in 2021

Speaking of Scotland, one of the country’s biggest festivals, TRNSMT, had to pull the plug as well. Its new dates: July 9-11, 2021.