London’s British Summer Time (BST) has called it off for this year’s edition due to the concern over coronavirus. Originally, the festival was set to expand over two weekends: June 3-5 and again June 10-12. Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, and Duran Duran were booked to perform in Hyde Park.
“It is with a heavy heart that we have decided not to go ahead with BST Hyde Park 2020.” The organisers took to the social media, announcing the bad news after making such “difficult decision”. Read the full statement in the tweet below.
It is with a heavy heart that we have decided not to go ahead with BST Hyde Park 2020. Please read our full statement below or here: https://t.co/MlVFWx3o02
Sending you all love and positivity during these difficult times. Look after yourselves, stay safe, and see you next year. pic.twitter.com/ETj6CiyZE0
— BST Hyde Park (@BSTHydePark) April 8, 2020
“This would have been the 8th year of this event and we were looking forward to putting on amazing, unique shows for hundreds of thousands of fans in the world’s greatest outdoor venue. But safety always comes first.”
In addition, the 2020 edition of BST would be special for the headlining artists as well. Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar were supposed to perform for the first time in a music festival, as both were also booked to appear at Glastonbury 2020, which is already cancelled too. Lamar also planned to play some new music from his upcoming album.
Meanwhile, legendary band Pearl Jam was set to make a return with their show at the festival since the release of ‘Lightning Bolt‘ in 2013. Duran Duran also planned to rock the stage for the first time in five years in the capital.
The organisers promised to bring BST back again in 2021. Those who already purchased tickets will be contacted from the agent for a refund process.
BST 2020 has been another victim of COVID-19 this year after many musical events have suffered the ill fate of cancellation. For now, let’s stay safe, watch our hands clean, and hope for a better day to come.
