News
Former Kerrang! Editor James McMahon has passed away
James McMahon – Kerrang!’s second longest-serving Editor – has died following a short battle with cancer
The festival is still preparing for the June event, but also "closely monitoring developments with the coronavirus situation".
With more and more bands being forced to cancel and postpone upcoming tours due to travel concerns related to the global outbreak of coronavirus (there's even a petition to have America's legendary SXSW cancelled for the year – and it's signed by thousands of people), iconic UK festival Glastonbury have addressed if their event will still be going ahead.
The 50th anniversary edition of Glasto is set to take place in Somerset from June 24-28, but medical advice to "reduce mass gatherings" in order to stop the spread of the COVID-19 illness has lead fans to question if it will still be going ahead – especially given that the capacity is now around 200,000 people.
“Glastonbury Festival thoroughly plans each year's event, and puts in place all necessary measures to protect the public and maximise safety," says Adrian Coombs, Glastonbury Festival’s Head of Event Operations.
"We work closely with all of the relevant agencies, including Public Health England and the NHS, and always review our plans as any circumstances change.
Read this next: 8 heavy bands Glastonbury should book for 2020
"With this in mind and with our 2020 Festival still 16 weeks away, we continue to plan and prepare for the event, whilst at the same time closely monitoring developments with the coronavirus situation.”
Taylor Swift and Paul McCartney have been confirmed as headliners for this year's Glastonbury, with Diana Ross, Lana Del Rey and Clairo also announced. The full line-up is expected to arrive before ticket re-sales go up in April.
Last year featured a whole bunch of epic sets from the likes of BABYMETAL, Bring Me The Horizon, IDLES, Employed To Serve and Venom Prison.
Bring Me The Horizon performing at Glastonbury 2019