AIF report shows that more than 40 festivals in the UK have been canceled this summer

While electronic music as a whole is thriving in the United Kingdom, festivals don’t possess the same fortune. A report by AIF has shown that more than 40 different festivals have been canceled or postponed this summer.

The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has shared a report that shows that more than 40 festivals have been canceled, postponed, or permanently ended this coming summer. The AIF shared the information on their Five Percent For Festivals website, which in itself is a campaign that fights for the reduction of VAT on festivals from 20 to 5 percent. The organization has stated that around 17 percent of festivals did not survive the 2020/2021 pandemic with NME reporting that approximately 170 festivals have disappeared completely over the last 5 years.

AIF has revealed just why they fight for the reduction of VAT:

“Lowering VAT will save festivals from closure, and give all UK festivals the space they need in order to recover from a series of pressing problems caused by Brexit and hangover from the pandemic. Without intervention, more festivals will cancel, postpone, or make 2024 their last edition.”

The most frequent reasons for festival cancelation include “a rise in supply chain cost”, “tender and procurement issues”, “challenges of running an independent festival”, and “lower-than-expected sales, and increased infrastructure, staff, transport, and artist costs”. El Dorado festival in Herefordshire has announced its cancelation officially marking 40 festivals being canceled this summer in the UK while Twisted Festival, a 3-day camping festival near Leicester will postpone to 2025. Some other canceled events include the Riverside Festival, Standon Calling, and NASS Festival. The AIF has warned that if necessary changes don’t occur, the prediction is that more than 100 festivals will disappear in 2024.

Learn how YOU can help the Five Percent For Festivals campaign HERE.