As reports of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus are luckily beginning to decline within its origin country of China, unfortunately cases are now soaring across the rest of the world as governments are being tasked with the exceptionally difficult process of trying to contain and delay the spread of the virus as much as possible.
In order to protect the health and safety of populations across the globe, the music industry has been hit hard with mass postponements and cancellations of regularly scheduled parties and festivals, along with nationwide bans and lockdowns which see venues closing their doors until further notice.
As COVID-19 made its way across Asia, we previously covered the mass cancellation of events across several Asian countries which has brought the nightlife industries to a standstill, with the electronic music scene suffering greatly. Western countries are now banning mass gatherings, and beloved festivals are either being postponed or cancelled for 2020 altogether.
In the most recent developments, Tomorrowland Winter – France’s edition of the famous Belgian festival – originally scheduled for March 14th, has officially been cancelled by the French Government.
“It is with a heavy heart that we have to inform you that the French Government has decided to cancel this year’s edition (March 14 -21)…The French Government is taking drastic measures regarding the COVID-19 virus in France. Therefore they are enforcing the cancellation of large events, bringing together people from different nationalities on closed festival grounds and event locations.”
South By Southwest (SXSW) the 10 day festival which takes place every year in Austin, Texas has been cancelled – the first cancellation in its 34 year run. Unfortunately, in an extra blow – according to the local newspaper Austin Statesman – the company behind the festival SXSW LLC is being forced to lay off a third of their 175 year round employees and are facing massive losses as their insurance does not cover “bacterial infections, communicable diseases, viruses and pandemics.”
Goldenvoice, the promoter for Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2020 is reportedly looking to postpone the two-weekend festival from April to October, following confirmation of coronavirus cases in Riverside County where the festival has taken place annually since 2001. No official announcement regarding cancellation or postponement has been made yet.
