Coronavirus: music festivals, big gigs, sports events and big gatherings - going ahead and cancelled

[William of Walworth]

Oktoberfest falls...

'Bitter pill': Bavaria cancels Oktoberfest over fears of coronavirus spread

Famed German beer festival usually attracts around 6 million visitors a year

www.theguardian.com

On a much more minor scale, our organising committee have just had to cancel our beer festival (Swansea Bay Beer and Cider Festival). Second biggest in Wales mind! Originally scheduled for August Bank Holiday weekend.
This was technically a slightly premature decision for our event, given that we 'only' have about 90 to 100 beers/25 to 30 ciders available, but the main factor was that the deadline for booking the Brangwyn Hall for our event was the start of this week.
Plus also our beer list organiser (until recently a professional brewer) was already starting to have kittens about supply of the beers of choice

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Just come off a conference call of various event industry people. Obviously we're all trying to second guess where things are going to land, but the overriding feeling is that any event with more than 1000 people in one place certainly isn't going to happen this year. Talk of rescheduled festivals in September/October is pure fantasy right now.

The other issue for many venues - even smaller ones - is that of maintenance/safety. Traditionally getting all the certification/testing of various critical systems (trussing, chain motors, high power electrical systems) is done over the summer, when the venues are quiet due to everyone being out in fields for festival season. If none of that work has been done due to closures, lack of personnel etc then nothing can open because the venues will no longer be certified as safe and thus uninsured. We reckon at my venue we're going to need at least a month from getting access back in the building before we can open, and that's assuming we can get inspection work booked because the number of trained people that can do it is limited and they are going to be rushed off their feet.

 

[William of Walworth]

In tems of general pub news, The Morning Advertiser is a good trade journal to follow.

Nothing specific (or even at all!) there about possible reopening dates yet, but it can be an informative source.

 

[Badgers]

To be honest most pubs are not really in the category of:

music festivals, big gigs, sports events and big gatherings

Two large (15k+) events I work on had postponed from March/April 2020 to July/August 2020 respectively.
Both of these are now postponed (or cancelled if you will) till March/April 2021

 

[Badgers]

Just come off a conference call of various event industry people. Obviously we're all trying to second guess where things are going to land, but the overriding feeling is that any event with more than 1000 people in one place certainly isn't going to happen this year. Talk of rescheduled festivals in September/October is pure fantasy right now.

Exactly this ^

 

[ddraig]

This thread isn't about pubs

2 gigs meant to be going to this week postponed til September but doubtful they will happen then even

 

[William of Walworth]

Just come off a conference call of various event industry people. Obviously we're all trying to second guess where things are going to land, but the overriding feeling is that any event with more than 1000 people in one place certainly isn't going to happen this year. Talk of rescheduled festivals in September/October is pure fantasy right now.

The other issue for many venues - even smaller ones - is that of maintenance/safety. Traditionally getting all the certification/testing of various critical systems (trussing, chain motors, high power electrical systems) is done over the summer, when the venues are quiet due to everyone being out in fields for festival season. If none of that work has been done due to closures, lack of personnel etc then nothing can open because the venues will no longer be certified as safe and thus uninsured. We reckon at my venue we're going to need at least a month from getting access back in the building before we can open, and that's assuming we can get inspection work booked because the number of trained people that can do it is limited and they are going to be rushed off their feet.

Really informative, thanks. One big "current" tour (Nick Cave) has been pushed right back to April 2021.

With festivals, for ages now I've been losing confidence about even the relatively small Bearded Theory (7,500-ish) happening at their planned new date in mid September.
So apologies to you for insisting a while back that it was still a good possibility -- I really doubt that now .. and have done for over a fortnight.

But is does seem weird that festivals still scheduled (Reading/Leeds included!) are delaying confirming cancellations -- is that insurance related, or more?

 

[Teaboy]

This thread isn't about pubs

2 gigs meant to be going to this week postponed til September but doubtful they will happen then even

The point being if you won't open a pub with 30 people in it than allowing much larger gatherings would look like an odd decision.

 

[ddraig]

The point being if you won't open a pub with 30 people in it than allowing much larger gatherings would look like an odd decision.

Yes of course

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

But is does seem weird that festivals still scheduled (Reading/Leeds included!) are delaying confirming cancellations -- is that insurance related, or more?

God knows. But they're not going to happen.

 

[editor]

Selfishly, I live in hope of the (frankly unlikely) possibility of events under 500 people becoming permitted sometime in the not too distant future because that works fabulously for my band and DJ gigs.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

If smaller (think theatres/academy size places etc) open up before the enormo-domes, expect big name acts to suddenly develop an interest in "intimate", week long residency style gigs. Small bands won't get a look in

 

[Badgers]

If smaller (think theatres/academy size places etc) open up before the enormo-domes, expect big name acts to suddenly develop an interest in "intimate", week long residency style gigs. Small bands won't get a look in

Sad to agree with this

 

[Teaboy]

Selfishly, I live in hope of the (frankly unlikely) possibility of events under 500 people becoming permitted sometime in the not too distant future because that works fabulously for my band and DJ gigs.

I don't think there is anything wrong with hope tempered with realism. We need hope now more than ever.

 

[Badgers]

I don't think there is anything wrong with hope tempered with realism. We need hope now more than ever.

I need a pint of hope

 

[pesh]

If smaller (think theatres/academy size places etc) open up before the enormo-domes, expect big name acts to suddenly develop an interest in "intimate", week long residency style gigs. Small bands won't get a look in

Yeah, I imagine the Stereophonics are keen to get back to infecting their fanbase as soon as possible.

 

[editor]

I need a pint of hope

A night in even the emptiest or most unpleasant pub suddenly seems like the stuff of dreams.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Sam Fender/Killers in June now moved to 4th June 2021, which is Frau Bahn’s mum’s 80th, so presume we will have to not head to Highbury. No mention of refunds or re-selling, perhaps in time that may happen..?

 

[William of Walworth]

Sam Fender/Killers in June now moved to 4th June 2021, which is Frau Bahn’s mum’s 80th, so presume we will have to not head to Highbury. No mention of refunds or re-selling, perhaps in time that may happen..?

Useful-looking general feature in yesterday's Money Guardian about refunds, etc., for cancelled or postponed events :

Coronavirus refunds : why fans are raging over ticket policies

With thousands of live events axed or rescheduled, many fans are finding it tricky to get money back

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Ta, it’s Ticketmaster and that article says we can have a refund, nothing in their email or on their website suggests that, but will give it a go...

 

[BristolEcho]

I honestly don't see how they can square with club nights running this year. I'd love it to happen safely, but the realist in me says it surely can't? How can they justify 500 people in a tiny pace, utterly twatted, and with dodgy soap free toilets?

I saw they opened some in Korea so that will be a test.

 

[pesh]

Events in November now being cancelled

Coronavirus: Somerset illuminated carnivals cancelled

Parades, including Bridgwater Carnival due to be held in November, are cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic.

www.bbc.co.uk

A series of illuminated carnivals in November that attract tens of thousands of visitors to Somerset have been cancelled due to coronavirus.

The circuit - which includes Bridgwater, the UK's oldest carnival - were called off due to the organiser's concerns over health and safety.

Mike Crocker, of Bridgwater carnival, said: "It is highly unlikely that any large gatherings will be allowed."

The circuit includes Glastonbury, Weston-super-Mare and Wells.

Others cancelled are Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea, North Petherton, and Shepton Mallet.

The events were due to take place around Bonfire night - from 7 November until 21 November.

The annual event sees nearly 100 illuminated floats lit up with nearly a million light bulbs.

It ends with a carnival tradition of "squibbing" - where fireworks are lit on the end of poles - showering sparks along the route.

Mr Crocker said: "Unfortunately illuminated carnivals like we have been accustomed to in Bridgwater will now not take place this year and will be sadly postponed.

"It is highly unlikely that any large gatherings of people will be allowed until there is a vaccination for COVID-19.

"When this is combined with the ongoing social distancing arrangements which will remain in place for some considerable time yet, there is very little chance of the carnival committee and the entries of being able to raise the necessary monies needed to put on such a spectacular event."

 

[Supine]

Still waiting for We Out Here to cancel. I don't mind holding my ticket till next year though. I certainly can't see any scenario in which it'll happen in August.

 

[treelover]

SJM Concerts going to lose a few of his millions.

 

[Numbers]

Notting Hill Carnival must be hanging on by a thread.

As much as I absolutely Love Carnival, even if it did go ahead I wouldn’t go.

 

[Badgers]

As much as I absolutely Love Carnival, even if it did go ahead I wouldn’t go.

Given the location, footfall and total lack of distancing it is probably one of the most dangerous 'potential' events you could attend at this time.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

More group calls this morning, more depressing outlook all round from the industry. Things are bad

Will try and do a better summary later today when I’m done with wanting to throw myself off a (metaphorical) cliff.

 

[Badgers]

More group calls this morning, more depressing outlook all round from the industry. Things are bad

They are very bad.
Although we might see small 'events' this year people are still scared.

My events (exhibitions not gigs) are now all moved to 2021 (March earliest) but mixing music/film/theatre venues (who can't just open without notice anyway) with alcohol, traveling, security and other factors is going to be a nightmare on all fronts. It is a shitshow in the making sorry to say

 

[Looby]

End Of The Road festival (early September) hasn’t been cancelled yet but I’m assuming it will be. The ticket balance is due in July I think so they’ll have to make a decision before then surely?
I’m happy for them to keep my deposit for next year I guess, I’ll only be paying it again in September when 2021 goes on sale.
I haven’t had a refund for Taylor Swift at Hyde Park yet, by early May apparently. For that one I’d much rather a reschedule but it’s been cancelled.
The latest event for me this year is Shiiine On in November but that’s really not going to happen either.

I’d been worrying and planning how to pay for all the festivals and gigs this year and working out my annual leave. That sounds like a nice problem to have right now.

 

[belboid]

Lattetude finally thrown in the towel