Image credit: Live Nation Entertainment

The roadmap out of lockdown has got the live industry and revellers very excited, recent ticket purchases prove that music fans are extremely hopeful and eager.

Recently Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom laid out his roadmap out of lockdown 3.0. The roadmap stated that if we pass all the four tests then full lockdown and restrictions could be lifted by June 21st. 

However, although this is good news there are still lots of talk of data vs dates and so much of the roadmap is reliant on data. If infections rise or new strains are found the whole roadmap can change, which for festivals, especially those in July could have their dreams shattered. It’s also worth noting that although the government has said events should absolutely start organising, there is still no insurance in place to protect them if dates change. 

However, things are looking hopeful. The r-rate is down, infections and hospitalisations are falling and the vaccination program is being rolled at incredible speed and proficiency. 

With this in mind Live Nation and its subsidiary, Festival Republic, were quick to announce that Reading & Leeds festival (a combined capacity of 180,000) will be going ahead between August 27th and 29th this year. They also announced Creamfields, the electronic music-centric festival will be going ahead between 26th-29th August. Tickets sold out for all festivals in record breaking time. 

Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino announced in the Q4 2020 earnings call that Reading & Leeds (at the time of the call) had sold 100,000 tickets in 72 hours and Creamfields had sold the entire 70,000 available tickets in just 48 hours. 

Speaking to analysts Rapino said: “We are seeing… what we’ve been talking about: [fans] are excited to get back to the show as soon as we get the green lights in these markets to open up.”