The 50th anniversary edition of Glastonbury, the UK festival that attracts as many as 200,000 music fans, has been cancelled.
The decision to pull the plug on the festival, set for June 24 to 28 in Somerset, came in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
“Following the new government measures announced this week – and in times of such unprecedented uncertainty – this is now our only viable option,” read a statement from promoters Michael Eavis and Emily Eavis.
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"There will also inevitably be severe financial implications as a result of this cancelation – not just for us, but also the Festival’s charity partners, suppliers, traders, local landowners and our community.”
Just last week, festival organizers announced “with the best of intentions” the first batch of performers, including Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Camila Cabello and Dua Lipa.
This year would have been the 37th Glastonbury festival since 1970.
We are so sorry to announce this, but we are going to have to cancel Glastonbury 2020. Tickets for this year will roll over to next year. Full statement below and on our website. Michael & Emily pic.twitter.com/ox8kcQ0HoB
— Glastonbury Festival (@glastonbury) March 18, 2020