Skip to main content

Peter Gabriel cancels Womad Festival and blasts Boris Johnson for failing to give the world music jamboree Covid test event status

Womad Festival has been officially cancelled this year, as its co-founder slammed Boris Johnson for failing to give the popular music jamboree Covid test event status.

The news was announced via social media, with rock star Peter Gabriel saying persisting confusion over the extension of Covid restrictions into the middle of July meant festival planners had 'sadly run out of time'.

He said: 'We cannot continue and put Womad's long term future at risk.' 

Organisers also explained that the government's 'unwillingness to provide insurance support for festivals' was a major reason behind the event's cancellation.

The three-day event at Charlton Park, Wiltshire was scheduled to run from Thursday, July 22 to Saturday, July 25 this year - three days after Covid restrictions are due to ease.  

The news comes as festival planners have used test rock event Download as '100 per cent evidence' that large scale music events can safely return in the future. 

Rock star Peter Gabriel said persisting confusion over the extension of Covid restrictions into the middle of July meant festival planners had 'sadly run out of time'

In a statement shared on social media, organisers also explained that the government's 'unwillingness to provide insurance support for festivals' was a major reason behind the event's cancellation

In a statement shared on social media, organisers also explained that the government's 'unwillingness to provide insurance support for festivals' was a major reason behind the event's cancellation

Womad (pictured in 2019) was founded by the singer in 1982 and quickly became a firm favourite with families - featuring activities for children alongside acts from Africa, the Americas, Pan-Asia and Europe

Womad (pictured in 2019) was founded by the singer in 1982 and quickly became a firm favourite with families - featuring activities for children alongside acts from Africa, the Americas, Pan-Asia and Europe

The three-day event (pictured in 2019) eventually gained cult status and became a hit with celebrities - including Prince Harry who was spotted there in 2013

The three-day event (pictured in 2019) eventually gained cult status and became a hit with celebrities - including Prince Harry who was spotted there in 2013

In a statement shared online this evening, organisers wrote: 'Following today's update and the Government's unwillingness to provide insurance support for festivals, we are very sadly out of time and have no option but to cancel Womad 2021.'

Peter Gabriel said: 'It is with great regret we are cancelling Womad 2021 today. Without the simple support of a Government insurance scheme or the guarantee of Test Event status, we cannot continue to put Womad's long term future at risk.

'We feel that our audience, artists, staff and contractors, who have been amazingly supportive throughout all of this, will understand the need for us to guarentee our survival.'   

A number of festivals including Glastonbury and Kendal Calling have previously announced they will not be going ahead this year due to the pandemic.

Mass events are currently scheduled to be allowed to take place from July 19 when coronavirus restrictions ease.

The news comes a week after 10,000 rock fans congregated at annual Download Festival in Donnington Park as part of a safety pilot to see if large scale music events can safely return.

Organisers described the event's success as '100 per cent evidence' that big music events can take place safely amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The news comes a week after 10,000 rock fans congregated at annual Download Festival in Donnington Park as part of a safety trial to see if large scale music events can safely return

The news comes a week after 10,000 rock fans congregated at annual Download Festival in Donnington Park as part of a safety trial to see if large scale music events can safely return 

Mr Benn, the organiser of Download Festival, said this year's three-day music event (pictured) was '100 per cent evidence' that big music events can take place safely amid the Covid-19 pandemic

Mr Benn, the organiser of Download Festival, said this year's three-day music event was '100 per cent evidence' that big music events can take place safely amid the Covid-19 pandemic

Around 10,000 fans flocked to Donington Park, East Midlands, to enjoy the three-day version of Download Festival, called Download Pilot, which kicked off on Friday before coming to a close on Sunday night. Pictured: Festival goers on Sunday

Around 10,000 fans flocked to Donington Park, East Midlands, to enjoy the three-day version of Download Festival, called Download Pilot, which kicked off on Friday before coming to a close on Sunday night. Pictured: Festival goers on Sunday 

Around 10,000 eager fans flocked to Donington Park, East Midlands, to enjoy the three-day version of Download Festival, called Download Pilot, which kicked off on Friday, June 18 before coming to a close on Sunday night. 

Melvin Benn, managing director of the Festival Republic group, said the level of compliance he saw during the Covid test event was 'extraordinary', adding that the festival was proof music events could be Covid secure. 

Speaking as the festival drew to a close, Mr Benn said: 'It's extraordinary really. It's really fantastic. I am very heart-warmed by it all.

MPs warned UK music festivals are facing another 'lost summer' because of the Government's 'refusal to back insurance' for cancelled events Pictured: Festival goers enjoy Womad 2018

MPs warned UK music festivals are facing another 'lost summer' because of the Government's 'refusal to back insurance' for cancelled events Pictured: Festival goers enjoy Womad 2018

It comes as MPs warned UK music festivals are facing another 'lost summer' because of the Government's 'refusal to back insurance' for events at risk of being cancelled because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Members of the digital, media, culture and sport committee are calling for ministers to 'act now' and provide a 'safety net' for live events.

They want a 'time-limited insurance scheme' introduced to help the festivals out. 

But the committee said the Government's decision to rule out support before all roadmap restrictions are lifted would be 'simply be too late for festivals this summer'.

Earlier this month, singer Gabriel warned his popular festival could be axed without government support.

Speaking on BBC R4's Today programme, he said: 'If we're trying to restore cultural life and normality then we do need a bit of help here.

'It's a huge industry now and we would like to get some confidence and security from something like an insurance scheme, some sort of underwriting scheme.'

Asked if festivals should become part of the pilot scheme on large events, he said: 'It's very difficult and obviously we want to be included, the vaccine programme has been amazing.

'If we can just lock those in and get some support for independent festivals particularly, but all the festival sector, then I think we can have a great summer.'

Womad was founded by singer Peter Gabriel in 1982 and quickly became a firm favourite with families - featuring activities for children alongside acts from Africa, the Americas, Pan-Asia and Europe. 

The three-day jamboree is also a hit with celebrities - including Prince Harry who was spotted there in 2013. 

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o