FEATURE:
Glastonbury 2020
IMAGE CREDIT: Glastonbury
Why Its Survival Will Bring Us Together
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SO many gigs and festivals are…
IN THIS PHOTO: Dua Lipa
being cancelled at the moment because of the Coronavirus spread. It seems that the music world in general is going to have to lockdown for a few weeks at the very least. Last week, the line-up for this year’s Glastonbury was announced. As the festival takes place between 24th and 28th June, there are no immediate plans to cancel. This BBC article explains more:
“Dua Lipa, the Pet Shop Boys and Mabel will all play the Glastonbury Festival this summer - provided it isn't cancelled because of the coronavirus.
More than 90 names were added to the line-up on Thursday, joining headliners Taylor Swift and Sir Paul McCartney.
US rap star Kendrick Lamar will top the bill on Friday, with Supergrass, Lana Del Rey and AJ Tracey also due to play.
Emily Eavis said organisers had "fingers firmly crossed" the event would go ahead in June.
She said she was releasing a poster of the line-up "with the best intentions" given "the current circumstances".
"As things stand we are still working hard to deliver our 50th anniversary festival in June and we are very proud of the bill that we have put together over the last year or so," she said.
“No one has a crystal ball to see exactly where we will all be 15 weeks from now, but we are keeping our fingers firmly crossed that it will be here at Worthy Farm for the greatest show on Earth!"
The coronavirus outbreak has already affected several tours and festivals, with acts like The Who, BTS, Miley Cyrus and Madonna having cancelled or postponed shows.
IN THIS PHOTO: Paul McCartney
In the US, April's Coachella festival has been delayed, while music industry showcase South By Southwest, was scrapped altogether.
The Country To Country festival, due to take place in London, Dublin and Glasgow this weekend, was also postponed at the last minute on Thursday night. Rescheduled dates will be announced "in the coming days," organisers said”.
I do think that it will be a case of calling it off in the next few weeks because, if it is left any longer, I have the feeling it will be too late to reorganise or figure out a plan that benefits artists and fans. The biggest problem is artists contracting Coronavirus, which would leave holes in the (excellent) line-up. If fans are affected, they cannot attend, and I there will be measures to ensure anyone attending is responsible and safe. The fact of the matter is that Glastonbury is over two months away, so there is no telling how bad things will be. Although experts say the virus will be at its most severe by June, one cannot say for sure. There is a chance that things will be contained here by then and, although Coachella and other major festivals have rescheduled, I can understand why Glastonbury is going ahead. Some say it is irresponsible and, inevitably, there is the chance lots of fans and artists will have to change their schedules. There is a chance organisers will have to push Glastonbury back to the autumn, but that would mean the entire bill having to rejig their diaries to accommodate.
As so much work has been put in already, it would be heartbreaking to make an early call without more information. I know Emily Eavis will have to monitor the news and make a call one way or the other, but there are so many people looking forward to Glastonbury. On its fiftieth anniversary, so many people are excited to see artists like Paul McCartney and Diana Ross play! It will be a massive event that includes so many terrific artists new and established. I have said before how this year’s Glastonbury will be a chance to join together. We have all been through so much over the past couple of years. The seemingly never-ending Brexit drama is over, and there is the looming and ever-present trouble regarding the environment. Although the world will always have its troubles, I think we can all feel lifted and united by music. It would be a shame if things were cancelled, but many are optimistic, and there have been so many cancellations already – I think we all need Glastonbury to stay focused and go ahead. Of course, if there is no choice but to cancel, then it will have to be pushed back and, although there will be financial losses, these things cannot be helped. Glastonbury has the sort of magic and spirit that brings us together, gives us that joy, and stays in the memory. Everyone is hoping that, in June, Glastonbury goes ahead. Being able to all see Glastonbury’s fiftieth in a few months is…
IN THIS PHOTO: Taylor Swift/PHOTO CREDIT: Erik Madigan Heck
THE sort of good news we all need!