2000trees postponed due to travel issues and lack of available Covid-19 insurance
Organisers hit out at the government
Last updated 26th Apr 2021
This summer’s eagerly awaited 2000trees Festival has been postponed to 2022.
In February, organisers had said they wanted to press ahead with the Cotswolds rock extravaganza this July, however they issued a lengthy statement today (26th April) stating that it’s not possible.
Explaining why they were forced to axe the 2021 edition, 2000trees blamed issues with international acts travelling to the event and a lack of available government-backed Covid-19 insurance.
Last week, Boomtown 2021 and Deer Shed Festival were also both postponed due to the same insurance issues.
2000trees’ full statement reads:
THE BAD NEWS
Over the last two weeks, it has become clear that, due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, bands based outside of the UK will not be able to travel to 2000trees in 2021.
We’ve had confirmation that around 20 of the biggest bands from our line up will not be coming to Upcote Farm this summer. This list, which is growing every week, includes our headliners Jimmy Eat World & Thrice, plus Knocked Loose, Young Guns, The Get Up Kids, Laura Jane Grace, Anti-Flag and Stray From The Path.
As a result, we have been forced to take the absolutely heart-breaking decision to postpone 2000trees to July 6th-10th 2022. Up until a week ago we were still furiously working behind the scenes to try make the festival happen. We really wanted (& needed) a party just as much as you this year. But after losing these bands, it’s clear that we are unable to give you the award-winning Trees experience that you know and love this year.
LACK OF GOVERNMENT BACKED CANCELLATION INSURANCE
Bands dropping out is one thing, but to make matters worse, the UK Government have repeatedly refused to provide any COVID cancellation insurance for the live events industry.
Hundreds of festivals have been asking for months for a Government backed insurance policy allowing us to confidently host events this year. We were hopeful that this insurance would be in place by now. Although they’ve provided a similar scheme for film & TV, the Government have completely let the live music industry down by refusing to back a simple insurance policy.
This would have cost them next to nothing, unless the roadmap dates are changed (or we are put into another lockdown), & it’s the single most effective thing they could have done to get festivals back up and running this summer. Many independent festivals have already postponed because of this and we know of many other events that will shortly be announcing their postponement.
The obvious concern is that there may still be delays or changes to the COVID restrictions at the last minute. Without this vital COVID cancellation insurance, going ahead with this year’s event would simply be a huge financial risk, potentially jeopardising our long-term survival. So we were left with no other choice than to pull the plug before it was too late.
THE GOOD NEWS
The GOOD NEWS is that things are already looking amazing for 2000trees 2022. As it stands, we’re very nearly sold out for next year and we are very excited to announce that the following bands from this year are now confirmed for 2022:
Jimmy Eat World / Thrice / The Amazons / Dinosaur Pile Up / Knocked Loose / The Get Up Kids / Dream State / Laura Jane Grace / Anti-Flag / Lonely the Brave / Stick To Your Guns / Deez Nuts / No Devotion / Dragged Under
We also have a super-exciting 3rd headliner to tell you all about real soon as well as over 100 more of the best bands playing across our 6 wonderful stages.
TICKETS
All 2021 tickets are automatically valid for next year’s festival and if you already have your ticket, you do not have to do anything to reserve your place. Your existing ticket is now your ticket to 2022.
As a small, independent business that’s been hit extremely hard by the pandemic, we really need as many people as possible to roll their tickets to next year, just so we can keep paying our staff and secure the long-term survival of 2000trees.
You kept us alive in 2020 when over 95% of you rolled your tickets to this year. If you could do the same for us again by holding onto your tickets until 2022, not only will you get next year’s festival at 2019 prices, but we will love you forever & promise to make the 2022 festival one to remember!
Thanks for reading and for your continued support, it means the world to us & we look forward to partying extra hard with you all next year.
James, Bren, Si, Andy, Mark and Rob
Meanwhile, in other festival news, despite Download Festival also postponing until 2022 the UK's other big metal event Bloodstock Open Air will still go ahead in 2021, as of us writing this.
The Catton Park riff fest which is one of the latest in the UK summer festival calendar, taking place from 11th - 15th August, added no fewer than seven more bands to the lineup last week, including Napalm Death and Venom Prison.