Reading and Leeds festivals will take place in August 2021, organizers confirm.
Despite the cancellation of Glastonbury, these events will proceed as planned.
Reading and Leeds festivals will take place in August 2021, organizers confirm.
Reading and Leeds Festivals 2021 Confirmed
The famous Reading and Leeds music festivals will happen in late August. Organizers have officially confirmed the dates.
Stormzy, Post Malone, and Liam Gallagher will headline the twin events. The festivals will take place on the August Bank Holiday weekend, from 27-29 August.
This follows England’s lockdown roadmap. The government plans to lift all social contact restrictions by 21 June.
Official Announcement on Twitter
On the official Reading and Leeds Twitter page, organizers stated:
“Following the government’s recent announcement, we can’t wait to get back to the fields this summer. LET’S GO.”
They also shared a video featuring past festival highlights, with crowds enjoying rides and dancing.
Event Plans and Social Distancing
Festival organizers have not yet detailed their plans. It remains unclear if social distancing measures will be in place.
The last Reading and Leeds festivals occurred in 2019. The Reading site had over 100,000 daily attendees, with tickets selling out a month in advance.
2020 Festival Cancellation Due to COVID-19
The festivals did not take place in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. Despite late confirmation of the 2021 edition, tickets have been on sale since last summer.
Other Big Acts at the Festival
Additional top artists at the three-day festival include Catfish and the Bottlemen, Disclosure, and Queens of the Stone Age.
Glastonbury 2021 Cancellation
In January, Europe’s biggest live music event, Glastonbury, was canceled for a second consecutive year.
Organizers Michael and Emily Eavis said they had tried everything to make it happen. However, the 2021 festival at Worthy Farm was officially canceled, with tickets rolling over to 2022.
Festival Industry Calls for Government Support
The UK’s lockdown roadmap outlines phased reopening plans. Outdoor performances with up to 4,000 people will be allowed from 17 May.
However, full confirmation depends on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continuing to decline. Festivals scheduled before 21 June, like Isle of Wight and Download, have not yet confirmed their status.
Calls for Festival Insurance Support
Before the Reading and Leeds announcement, Paul Reed, Chief Executive of the Association of Independent Festivals, spoke to Sky News.
He urged the government to provide urgent insurance intervention. While a roadmap exists, festivals need financial security before proceeding.
“If that doesn’t happen, many festivals won’t take place this year and will need support until they can return.”
Stay tuned for more updates on Reading and Leeds 2021!
Source: Sky News
Photo: Getty