Festivals still going ahead this year! (Featuring interview with 'The Voice' star)
If two things have been sorely missed this year – it’s festivals and clubbing. Whilst the latter doesn’t look likely to re-open anytime soon, there seems to be some hope for the former.
A handful of festivals are still advertising their event as if it will still go ahead. Some have even just announced their line-up - ones abroad in particular. The question is: will people feel safe enough to go, even if they don’t get cancelled? According to an Instagram poll, 27% of voters said they would attend a festival this year.
Fine Art Student, Nate Walkden, 18 says they wouldn’t feel comfortable going anytime soon. “I think having so many people enclosed in one space, especially at a festival where no one is properly clean at the best of times, is just a bad idea.”
Whilst others have different ideas and are excited at the prospect of a 2020 festival. Leah Rahim-Bennett, 18 is one of them. “You only live once and I don’t let anything stop me from my happiness.”
Jennifer Jamieson was a contestant on The Voice this year and has recently featured on ‘Stronger’ with Jess Bays and Sebb Junior.
Although she’s having “great fun” featuring on live streams – Jamieson says you can’t beat the interaction with an audience. What does she miss most about performing IRL? “People’s reactions and actually seeing people’s faces enjoying it as much as you are.”
Social distanced events could become the new normal to stop the spread of COVID-19. Jennifer says: “Personally, I think people want to get physically close to the artist. Literally forcing their body to the front bars. That’s kind of the point in seeing someone perform live I would say, and to be involved altogether so I think it will be hard!”
“I’d just get a bum bag full of sanitiser, get my mask out and rave on! Safely of course!”
Though some people may be sceptical about whether or not they’ll go ahead – we’re staying positive and keeping our fingers crossed. Here are some of the festivals and events that haven’t been cancelled (at the time of writing):
1. La Fiesta, Hertfordshire (16, 23 and 30 August 2020)
La Fiesta is returning for a ‘mini-festival’ spread across three weekends in August. As well as house music, there will be games and street food. The organiser says they are working on “other changes” to keep within Government guidelines, including cleaning stations on-site. Tickets cost between £20 to £40 and can be found at www.lafiestauk.com
2. Mi Casa Festival, Malta (18-20 September)
Set in Gianpulla Village, Mi Casa has a promising line-up, including Hannah Wants, Gorgon City, and Sonny Fodera. The festival promises hand sanitizer stations, temperature checks before entry, and optional coronavirus tests. Standard tickets start at £80.43 and can be found at www.micasafestival.com/tickets /
3. We Are FSTVL, Upminster (12-13 September) / We Are NYE Amsterdam, Neverlands (29 December 2020- 2 January 2021)
The pandemic isn’t stopping We Are from having a busy year, with two events planned for the end of 2020. Their original festival in Upminster has been pushed back to September 12 and 13. Whilst their NYE edition in Amsterdam will run into next year with a series of events – including a carnival boat party. According to Pollen’s website, if coronavirus causes trip cancellation, ticket holders can receive a refund or credit note. Party-only passes start at £129.
Pubs started opening back in July – which introduced us to LoveJuice’s ‘Love Pub and Grub’ and Studio 338’s Pub Tropicana. The socially distanced events featured live DJs, food, drinks, and games at a low capacity outside.
‘Pilot’ concerts have also been trialled in London to see what safety measures would be put in place if live music events re-opened. Some of the safety measures include social distancing, temperature checks, and a capacity of under 20%, according to Evening Standard.
Written by: Megan Milstead