SUMMER music festivals in 2021 could go ahead but only with government support, say music industry officials.
Live music events such as music festivals and gigs would be safe to go ahead this summer – but depend on government action to boost industry confidence, a lobby group has reported.
A report by UK Music said it was confident it could manage health risks if the government sets a start date for the industry and introduces COVID-19 cancellation insurance.
Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, chief executive of the campaign group, acknowledged the pandemic was still raging, but insisted there was “an end point in sight”.
“Government is rolling out the vaccine and is openly speculating about returning to normal by the spring – but there is a serious risk that even if this proves to be a reality, lack of notice and available insurance options will mean much of the 2021 summer music season can’t go ahead,” he said.
The report, Let the Music Play: Save Our Summer, also called for targeted financial support, an extension to the VAT rate reduction on tickets, a rollover of 2020 local authority licence fees to 2021, and an extension to business rates relief.
It was published as music festival organisers gave evidence on their future at a hearing before a group of MPs on the digital, culture, media and sport select committee.
Festivals including TRNSMT, Playground, Glastonbury and Parklife are all scheduled to take place in 2021. Tickets for TRNSMT Festival are available here.
Read the full report published by UK Music here.
