Music Festivals 2021: Your Guide To Dates, Line-Ups & If They're Going Ahead

January 2024 · 5 minute read

After the pandemic halted the UK's music festival scene in 2020, many of us have been left wondering if it will be the same this year. And thanks to the government's roadmap out of lockdown 3.0, we're all collectively rejoicing at the prospect of a summer spent having fun in the sun with our pals. As we get closer to the date, that prospect is becoming more and more real.

While Glastonbury 2021 has officially been cancelled, many of the other big music festivals have actually announced their line-ups for summer 2021. Reading and Leeds festival will go ahead between August 27 and 29 after Boris's roadmap was released. Sadly if you’re reading this and you’re without a ticket, then you’re too late, tickets have sold out.

However, fear not, there are plenty of other amazing festivals with the dreamiest of line-ups to keep your summer calendar booked to the brim. After all, after being deprived of a party or two, that is the least we deserve right?

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Boris has recently announced the government's full intentions of following through with the roadmap dates which will include legal international travel, and social distancing restrictions will all be lifted by June 21st, so if you want to fuel your hit of sun, music and travel with one stone, then it looks like international festivals are very much an option.

It’s important to reiterate that logistics around that are still uncertain, with talks of travel passports, the travel traffic light system / green travel list, and fees for covid tests still up in the air. Either way, here's what we know so far on everything festival season 2k21...

What does the roadmap say about festivals?

While festivals aren't expressly mentioned in the four-step roadmap, events and spaces including theatres, live music venues and cinemas are expected to open at stage three, which will begin on 17th May at the earliest.

These spaces will see restrictions on capacities: indoor events can proceed with a capacity of 1000 people or half the venue's full capacity (whichever is smaller); for outdoor events, that's 4000 people (or half the venue's full capacity).

However, the government has confirmed the launch of a new Events Research Programme, including a series of pilot events to test events with larger crowd sizes. The pilots will begin in April and, if the results are positive, the government hopes to lift restrictions on events with larger crowd sizes – music festivals, sporting events, conferences, large weddings – as part of step four in June. In fact, just last week Liverpool opened up Bramley-Moore Dock warehouse to host 6000 party goers, to a mask-free, up close and personal mass rave.

What have festival organisers said?

Industry representatives have said they need assurance from the government much sooner if they are to go ahead. Due to the immense costs of planning and organising a music festival, organisers could be in 'big trouble' if they decide to go ahead only for restrictions to change.

Paul Reed, chief executive of the Association of Independent Festivals, told Sky News that the average festival will need to decide whether to go ahead by the end of March, but as of yet, there is no coronavirus insurance to protect them.

"Time is running out," Reed said. "We do need urgent intervention on insurance. We're very appreciative to have a 'no earlier than date'. But if festivals are to go ahead, we need that intervention before the end of March. If that doesn't happen, unfortunately, you're not going to see much of the festival sector this year and [it] will therefore need support until when we're able to return beyond this."

Which festivals have made announcements about going ahead this year?

Which festivals have announced their 2021 line-ups?

Here are the biggest names from each festival's planned 2021 line-up. Head to the festival's website for full line-ups.

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What about festivals abroad?

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