With many non-UK bands unable to travel due to the pandemic, 2000trees have had to postpone their July festival to next year…
This July's 2000trees has been postponed for another year.
In a statement announcing the unfortunate rescheduling, the festival team explain that many non-UK-based bands – including headliners Jimmy Eat World and Thrice – would be unable to travel to the event, with these losses on the line-up meaning that "we are unable to give you the award-winning Trees experience that you know and love this year".
"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," they say.
"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 and 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 heartbreaking decision to postpone 2000trees to July 6 – 10, 2022. Up until a week ago we were still furiously working behind the scenes to try make the festival happen. We really wanted (and 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."
Crucially, the 2000trees team continue: "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 and 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), and 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."
There is some good news within all this, however. Next year's planned event is "very nearly sold out" already, with the following bands confirmed for the line-up: 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 and Dragged Under.
Grab your 2022 tickets right now at twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk/tickets.
