Another Blow to the UK Festival Scene as LIDO Cancels Two Days

Photo Credit: LIDO Festival (Instagram)

In the latest blow to London’s festival scene, LIDO Festival reschedules and cancels some shows to protect park ground conditions in Victoria Park.

On the heels of the highly publicized cancellation of London’s Wireless Festival, another local festival is seemingly on the rocks. LIDO Festival has rescheduled from June to August in an effort to “protect park ground conditions” in Victoria Park, following the extremely dusty conditions there last year.

Only in its second year, LIDO Festival will now take place on August 31. However, two shows—June 12, featuring CMAT, Father John Misty, and Sharon Van Etten; and June 14, featuring Bombay Bicycle Club and Metronomy—have now been cancelled as a result of the rescheduling, and festival organizers say ticketholders “will receive a full refund.”

Organizers also stress that any changes are not the fault of the artists, nor the London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH), where the venue is located, “all of whom have been fully supportive.”

“This decision was made solely by the event organizers, and LBTH has permitted the change to ensure the outcome best supports park users and the wider community,” festival organizers wrote in a statement on Instagram.

“Protecting the condition of Victoria Park is of paramount importance to LIDO and to LBTH. Last summer’s drought led to well-reported dust issues, but the extensive reseeding and improvement program delivered by AEG has been highly successful, and the park is now in great condition for everyday community use, unhindered and fully open to local residents and visitors to LBTH,” their statement continued.

“Following one of the wettest winters in recent history, our advisors recommended giving these newly improved areas a little more time before starting the festival program,” they explained. “This ensures the progress made is protected and continues to benefit the community throughout the spring and early summer.”

Last year, festival organizers and campaign groups around London spoke to Rolling Stone UK about the use of public parks in the area for live music events, and the impact climate change will have on future events in public spaces.

“The events have become too big and unsustainable for this sized park,” said Jen Hawkins, spokesperson for Protect Brockwell Park. “I think that’s the ultimate problem. They’ve now got to a scale which just doesn’t work for both the local public and for nature.”