Industry views
JANUARY | AGENDA
Festival operators : Government support essential for survival
Leading figures in the UK festival determining point ” and that for many industry repeatedly informed MPs of the bigger festivals decisions that without a Government-backed would have to be made by the end of insurance scheme few , if any , festivals this month . will be able to take place this summer . Njoku-Goodwin added that UK
The opening hearing of the DCMS Music had been told there will be Select Committee inquiry on into major festival cancellations within the future of UK music festivals weeks if no insurance scheme is on 5 January saw Association of launched : “ We have been working Independent Festivals CEO Paul with government on guidance to Reed warn that it is likely none of bring back safe working and safe the organisation ’ s festival members engagement at festivals , there ’ s a will be able to stage events this year whole lot of work we are doing with without insurance support . government and officials to make
UK Music CEO Jamie Njoku- sure that we can do things safely , Goodwin warned MPs that should but without insurance much of the the UK Government not mirror summer festival season this year schemes put in place by authorities in won ’ t happen .” countries including Germany , Austria Parklife ( cap , 80,000 ) co-founder and Switzerland it could lead to the Sacha Lord said the festival sector UK losing event industry talent to will be in a perilous situation if it is overseas rivals . unable to stage events this year : “ I
“ There is a real danger that if we think the vast majority of festivals will see a lot of countries , particularly in disappear if they are unable to take Europe close to home , protecting place in 2021 .” their festival seasons we will see a Boomtown communications talent transfer ,” he said . “ We don ’ t & strategy director Anna Wade want a situation where people that said it was very unlikely the should be working and supporting 66,000-capacity festival will take the UK festival season , such as place this year without an insurance musicians , technicians and crews , are scheme : “ We are owned and looking to the Continent and going operated by the two guys who started there in 2021 .” the festival , and when you don ’ t
Asked if the festival season is likely have external investors to bankroll to go ahead this year , Reed said the the festival it is a very trepidatious sector was “ rapidly approaching a scenario .”
“ Dear Boris Johnson , we are the music business – we have thousands of skilled people capable of running events , [ and we have ] empty theatres , clubs and arenas . Give us the vaccines and we will work 24-hours a day to sort it .”
Solo Agency MD and Isle of Wight Festival operator John Giddings emphasises the event industry ’ s ability and willingness to help Government
“ I think the pandemic will see the death of the paper ticket , at last , and good riddance to it .”
Kilimanjaro Live CEO and Concert Promoters Association vice chairman Stuart Galbraith on the rise of mobile ticketing
“ The UK has the No . 1 festival scene globally . The Government need to step in with Covid insurance or indemnity , like Germany , Austria and Switzerland , to secure jobs , income for freelancers and the whole supply chain .”
Parklife co-founder Sacha Lord calls on Government to enable festival operators to begin planning the 2021 season
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