Organizers of Toronto’s Veld Music Festival are staying mum on the fate of the 2020 edition, which was set to be headlined by DJs like Marshmello and Martin Garrix and rappers DaBaby and Tyga – even the City of Toronto says it won't be happening.
Last Friday, the City of Toronto extended its ban on gatherings of more than 25,000 people to Aug. 31. Veld, which has a stated capacity of 42,000, is scheduled for Aug. 1 and 2.
The City prohibition applies to “City-led and City-permitted major festivals and events,” according to a press release, but Veld takes place at Downsview Park, which is operated by the federal Crown corporation Canada Lands Company.
Late Tuesday, a City of Toronto spokesperson confirmed to iHeartRadio.ca that Veld "requires various City permissions and agency supports to proceed" – therefore the event is subject to the ban.
As of Tuesday morning, Veld had not shared any announcement on its website or social media accounts. The festival’s most recent tweet was on March 21, when it said: “At this time, VELD Music Festival remains scheduled for August 1st and 2nd … We will take next steps as necessary and recommended by health officials, and be in touch with any updates.”
A call to the PR department of INK Entertainment, which produces Veld with Live Nation, went unanswered and no one from the company has yet responded to an email inquiry. A message left on the mobile phone of a Live Nation rep has not yet been returned.
As of Tuesday, General Admission passes and VIP passes were still available for purchase on the Veld website, ranging in price from about $260 to $315.
can you guys let us know if it's going to get cancelled or not soon pls.
— nancy (@nancyplays) May 2, 2020
So whats going on??? Is the festival canceled?
— kneesmasher69 (@cowpuncher691) May 10, 2020
Veld has taken place every summer since 2012. In 2015, the festival was cut short several hours when a powerful storm rolled through the site.
Organizers of similar EDM festivals in Canada – including Calgary’s Chasing Summer (Aug. 1 and 2) and Montreal’s îLESONIQ (Aug. 7 and 8) – have already announced cancellations.
This article has been updated since it was first published.