72 UK festivals cancelled or postponed in 2024, double that of 2023
72 UK festivals have either cancelled, postponed or completely ceased operating in 2024 so far — double that of the previous year.
The figures, published in a new report from the Association of Independent Festivals [AIF], also indicate that 204 events have completely disappeared from the British calendar since 2019. Within this, just under half — 96 — were lost during the coronavirus pandemic.
2024 began with early warnings from the AIF about the precarious position festivals were in due to sustained and slow-burning economic impacts of Covid-19, high inflation since lockdowns, restrictions on travel and gatherings eased, and changes in consumer behaviour and trends. By March this year, 21 events had scrapped plans for the summer or called time on their operations altogether.
These included Standon Calling, Neighbourhood Weekender, Doune The Rabbit Hole, and Tokyo World. Others, like 26-year-old Nozstock The Hidden Valley, instead confirmed this year would be their last. By May, the number had leapt to 40, with dance weekenders such as El Dorado, Riverside, and NASS all cancelling. In the months since, a host of others have followed, for example Cosmic Roots in Hampshire and Kent’s Alfresco. Shindig, Camp Bestival Shropshire, Highest Point and Just So have also confirmed they won’t be back in 2025.
“The festival sector generates significant revenue in and around local economies as well as to the Treasury every year,” said AIF CEO John Rostron. “We have campaigned tirelessly for targeted, temporary government intervention which, evidence shows, would have saved most of the independent events that have fallen in 2024.
“It is sad to see that this erosion has been allowed to continue under this Government. We have great events, with great demand, and we’re doing all we can. They need to step up, and step up now,” he continued, describing 2024 as a “devastating period” for the sector.
Since February, the AIF has been campaigning for a VAT reduction on ticket sales, from 20 to 5%, in a bid to ease pressure on independent events. The UK Government recently announced a voluntary levy on arena concert ticket sales to prop up the grass roots music sector. However, the mechanics of how this will work, and uptake across the industry, are yet to be determined.
Revisit DJ Mag’s long read exploring the current state of the UK festival sector, and the attempts being made to save it, here.
