UNITED STATES

Wildfires see Nocturnal Wonderland cancelled

Insomniac Events cancelled its longest running festival , Nocturnal Wonderland , in California due to the impact of a devastating Line fire . The EDM festival was due to be held in San Bernardino on 14-15 September with a lineup of acts including RL Grime , San Holo and Jessica Audiffred . In a statement the promoter said , “ Due to the impact of the fires surrounding the venue , we will be unable to proceed .” The fire caused widespread devastation across 38,000 acres of land in southern California . Arson-related charges have been filed against 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg , who is alleged to have attempted to start fires in at least two other locations before succeeding .

MEXICO

FYRE Festival to return with $ 1m tickets

The organiser of the famously botched FYRE Festival has set a date for a second edition , with VIP tickets priced at more than $ 1 million . In an interview with NBC News , FYRE Festival founder Billy McFarland said the sequel is set for 25-28 April 2025 , and that he expects it to be attended by around 3,000 people . “ We have a private island off the coast of Mexico in the Caribbean , and we have an incredible production company who ’ s handling everything from soup to nuts ,” he said . McFarland ’ s infamous first attempt at running a festival led to him being imprisoned for four years , and it became the subject of two hit documentary films .

BELGIUM

EU will not cut red tape for UK touring parties

The Labour government ’ s manifesto pledge to help break down barriers for artists touring in the EU looks set to have hit a major early obstacle , with the EU reported to have ruled out making changes . According to internal EU briefing documents seen by the Financial Times , the web of post-Brexit red tape , around performance visas and equipment transport permits that has made touring the EU for UK artists more complex and expensive , is unlikely to be cut any time soon . Within the documents Brussels stated that a deal is not possible as it would mean rewriting the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement . The European Commission has indicated that it is not prepared to consider revising post-Brexit rules on customs , road haulage and services .