Two of Canada’s biggest music festivals have had to pull the plug due to COVID-19.
Quebec City’s Summer Festival and Montreal’s Osheaga announced last week they will not take place as scheduled after premier François Legault called for festivals to be scrapped until at least Aug. 31.
The line-up for the Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ), set for July 9 to 19, included Rage Against the Machine, Halsey, 5 Seconds of Summer, Imagine Dragons, Rod Stewart, Alanis Morissette, Marshmello and Charlie Puth.
“This was not the desired outcome for our 53rd edition, but in the light of the COVID-19 crisis and its repercussions, this is the best decision to make,” read a message from organizers.
A plan to postpone the FAQ to the fall was rejected due to several factors, “including the logistical complexity, the availability of artists, the uncertainty surrounding the duration of social distancing measures and the reluctance of many festival goers to take part in crowded events after the crisis.”
Refunds will be issued within 30 days.
MORE: Full Coverage Of COVID-19's Impact On Music
Osheaga, scheduled to take place at Montreal’s Jean Drapeau Park from July 31 to Aug. 2 with headliners Lizzo, Kendrick Lamar and Foo Fighters, has been put on hold.
Promoter evenko said in a statement it “continues to reflect on the options available” and urged fans to hold on to their tickets.
evenko is also pausing the ÎleSoniq electronic music festival (Aug. 7-8) and the inaugural LASSO country festival (Aug. 14-15).
“We are truly saddened by this situation, but everyone's health must remain our top priority,” said president and CEO Jacques Aubé. “It is too early to specifically announce the status of each of our events. We want to take the time to properly think about each of them and evaluate our options.
“Of course, we will do everything we can in order to minimize the impacts of this decision on all parties involved, by trying to postpone events, when possible.”
Earlier this month, Montreal's Metro Metro festival – scheduled for May 15 to 17 with acts like Travis Scott and Roddy Ricch – was scrapped due to COVID-19.
Organizers of Ottawa’s Bluesfest said they are “continuing to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic situation” and will announce their decision in early May. The line-up for the festival, scheduled for July 9 to 19, includes Rage Against the Machine, Alanis Morissette, blink-182, Boyz !II Men and Travis Tritt.
Announcements are also pending from other big Canadian fests, including PEI’s Cavendish Beach Music Festival (July 10 to 12) and the Boots & Hearts country music festival in Oro-Medonte, Ont. (Aug. 6 to 9).
Promoters of Canada Rock Fest, set for Aug. 6 to 8 in Grand Forks, B.C. said online: “We're keeping a close watch of the outbreak – we’re still going ahead as planned.”
Toronto’s Veld Music Festival, scheduled to take place Aug. 1-2, has not yet announced its fate. In a tweet on March 12, organizers promised to “be in touch with any updates.”