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Leaving large festival-shaped holes in their respective countries’ summer calendars, AEG Presents’ British Summer Time Hyde Park and Live Nation France’s Lollapalooza Berlin today (30 March) became the latest high-profile European open airs to confirm they won’t be going ahead in 2021.
In a statement, the 65,000-capacity British Summer Time (BST), which was scheduled for the second weekend of July, says both previously announced 2021 headline shows, Duran Duran and Pearl Jam, will instead take place in July 2022, with support from Nile Rodgers/Chic and Pixies plus another special guest, respectively.
“Following our review of the most recent government advice, the latest timeline means that we are unable to deliver with certainty the quality BST Hyde Park is known for in the time available,” say organisers.
“By making this decision at this stage we allow everyone … to plan accordingly”
“By making this decision at this stage we allow artists, crew, fans and everyone that comes together to help create these shows to plan accordingly.”
All BST 2020 and 2021 tickets remain valid for 2022, although cash refunds are also available from the point of purchase.
In France, where the latest regulations permit a maximum of just 5,000 people, all seated, at summer events, Lollapalooza Paris says “current uncertainties” prevent the festival from delivering its “Lolla magic” for Parisian fans this year.
The 50,000-capacity festival, which would have taken place at the Longchamp Racecourse on 17 and 18 July, had also announced Pearl Jam for 2021, with much of the 2020 line-up, which included Billie Eilish, Asap Rocky, Vampire Weekend and Khalid, also expected to be carried over.
Pearl Jam will now play next year’s festival, set for 16–17 July 2022.
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AEG Presents’ British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park will not take place this year, as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic claims another UK summer staple.
The festival, which was to take place over two weeks from 2 to 12 July, was set to feature headline acts including Post Malone, Little Mix, Kendrick Lamar, Pearl Jam, Taylor Swift and Duran Duran.
The cancellation follows that of All Points East festival, which was called off at the end of March.
“It is with great sadness that we have made the difficult decision to cancel BST Hyde Park 2020,” reads a statement from organisers.
“After closely following government actions and statements during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as consulting with our partners The Royal Parks and wider agencies, we have concluded that this is the only possible outcome.”
“It is with great sadness that we have made the difficult decision to cancel BST Hyde Park 2020”
Ticketholders will contacted by ticketing agencies by 6 May with information on the refund process.
“We look forward to welcoming you back in 2021 and will be in touch about plans soon. In the meantime, please follow the advice and stay safe,” state organisers.
This year was to be the eighth outing for BST Hyde Park, combining two weekend of music with free-to-access midweek events. Over the years, BST has seen performances from acts including the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, the Cure, Black Sabbath and Barbra Streisand.
Other UK events to be called off this summer due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic include Glastonbury Festival, Isle of Wight Festival, Download, Lovebox, Parklife, Womad, Cambridge Folk Festival, Country to Country Festival, Radio One’s Big Weekend and Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as well as industry conferences including The Great Escape and the Ticketing Professionals Conference.
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Festicket has signed a deal to become an official ticketing and travel package partner for the 2020 editions of AEG Presents’ All Points East and British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park.
The festival travel marketplace will provide exclusive transport packages and official tickets to All Points East, which will be headlined by Tame Impala and Kraftwerk, among others, across two weekends in May.
The ticketing company, which has raised almost US$30 million in funding since launching in 2012, is also among official ticket sellers and travel package providers for BST Hyde Park, which takes place from 3 to 12 July with performances from Little Mix, Pearl Jam and Taylor Swift.
Jim King, CEO European Festivals, AEG Presents comments: “We’re excited to be announcing Festicket as a partner. They’ve built a strong audience base and a dynamic marketing offering which complements our wider ticketing strategy.”
“Festicket has built a strong audience base and a dynamic marketing offering which complements our wider ticketing strategy”
“We’re delighted to be working with such a prestigious promoter in AEG Presents, and with American Express presents BST Hyde Park and All Points East in particular,” adds Greg Holmes, commercial director at Festicket.
“We’re really excited to show what the Festicket platform can do for fans, streamlining their usual booking process, reducing stress and ultimately allowing them to enjoy the event to its fullest.”
The AEG events join Festicket festival partners including Coachella, Tomorrowland and Reading and Leeds. Last year, Festicket acquired ticketing and cashless payments platform Event Genius, which works with events such as BPM Festival, Ibiza Rocks and Summer Daze.
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