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Reading and Leeds Festivals To Go Ahead

The UK's Reading and Leeds music festivals will take place in August 2021 on the Bank Holiday weekend from 27-29.

The announcement comes after the UK’s prime minister Boris Johnson declared his roadmap to get England out of lockdown. The government is aiming to remove all legal limits on social contact by 21 June.

This year’s Reading and Leeds lineup will be rolled over from the cancelled 2020 events, with headliners Stormzy, Post Malone and Liam Gallagher set to take to the stage.

Other acts booked to perform last year’s event include Lewis Capaldi, Two Door Cinema Club, AJ Tracey and Doja Cat.

The festival’s twitter account broke the good news: “Reading and Leeds 2021. Following the government’s recent announcement, we can’t wait to get back to the fields this summer. LET’S GO.”

Parklife, 2000 Trees and Creamfields are also going ahead this summer, the latter which has completely sold out.

The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) says the "2021 festival season is by no means guaranteed at this point" and that "major festivals such as Reading and Leeds are not a barometer for the whole market.

"There is still the chance of widespread cancellations if data around covid cases does not meet the Government's requirements and lockdown easing is delayed.

It is still an enormous risk for any independent festival to commit costs and proceed up to June 14 without insurance. We therefore once again call on the Government to urgently intervene with a Government-backed insurance scheme and extend the VAT reduction to 5% beyond the end of March."

It remains to be seen if other UK festivals and live events taking place after 21 June will follow suit and announce they are now able to take place.

June 21 onwards, the UK government hopes that all legal limits on social contact can be removed, and they hope to reopen nightclubs and lift restrictions on large events and performances.

This will also guide decisions on whether all limits can be removed on weddings and other life events.

This follows on from 17 May, where if the data allows, up to 10,000 spectators can attend the very largest outdoor seated venues, or 25% of capacity – whichever is lowest.


Which festivals are going ahead?


MAY

Radio 1 Big Weekend: No news yet.

JUNE

Download: Cancelled. Going ahead in 2022.

Glastonbury: Cancelled.

JULY

TRNSMT: Optimistic of going ahead - tickets are currently on sale.

AUGUST

Boomtown: Taking place. Sold out:

"There are still bumps in the road ahead but rest assured we’re doing absolutely everything we can to make sure our incredible community can dance together again this August."

Creamfields: Going ahead.

Reading and Leeds: Going ahead.

Notting Hill Carnival: No news yet; decision could be made in May or June.

SEPTEMBER

Parklife: Going ahead.