Uk Music Festivals Face 'Another Lost Summer' Without Government Safety Net

 

Today, UK music festivals are facing another lost summer. MPs blame the government for not backing an insurance safety net for organisers.

A report from the Digital Culture, Media and Sport Committee also said that minister has refused to take multiple opportunities to address concerns and that it will now be too late for many festivals to go ahead this year.

Early May and a test event at Liverpool's Sefton Park, more than 5000 people were allowed in to enjoy the atmosphere, the music, the food, they were tested and their behavior was monitored. To see whether a festival could be a safe place during a pandemic leads 2016. And even if it means getting a little muddy, thousands of people are desperate to get back to the festival experience and the reading and Leeds Festival's 20 21 are on at the end of August and a sold out.

 But Glastonbury, probably the best known event of its kind, was online only this year. The second year running this corner of Somerset wasn't the focus of global music interest and many other festivals won't happen either this year. The parliamentary committee argues, because the government won't provide backup insurance to cover costs if events have to be cancelled at the last minute. 

It costs, on average, more than six million pounds to stage a festival. It's risk to proceed without insurance and many will choose not to.

The government department responsible says indemnity cover will be looked at, adding they are working flat out to support festivals and live events and following on from promising test results from this event in Liverpool. 

It has been announced that the Download Music Festival, which had been cancelled, will now go ahead in June as a government test event.