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This summer's festival circuit is beginning to look quite barren. Today, Governor's Ball organizers announced that this year's festival has been cancelled entirely as a precautionary measure due to the global spread of the novel coronavirus, despite efforts to postpone rather than scrap the annual gathering at Randall's Island in New York City.
"Due to a myriad of planning and logistical issues, we have come to the conclusion that there are no sufficient options available to us," organizers wrote in a press release. "We are pushing ahead, and are already jumping into plans for 2021."
The festival was due to celebrate its 10th anniversary in June, with sets from acts including Missy Elliott, Tame Impala, Stevie Nicks, Solange, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Danny Brown, plus a new age policy prohibiting unaccompanied minors. Read the entire statement below.
"It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the cancellation of Governors Ball 2020 due to COVID-19. Simply put – due to current government mandates and the evolving situation in NYC, it is neither safe nor prudent to move forward with our June dates. The well-being of our fans, artists, staff, vendors, partners, and the surrounding NYC community is always our #1 priority.
Over the past few weeks, we have gone to great lengths to find a postponement date that works for all parties involved. Due to a myriad of planning and logistical issues, we have come to the conclusion that there are no sufficient options available to us. We are pushing ahead, and are already jumping into plans for 2021.
These are crazy and unprecedented times, but New Yorkers are no strangers to challenges. As a city and a community, we will all get through this. New York always does. Now is the time to be smart, look out for one another, and do our part to help the city and the world. We encourage everyone to listen to health officials, be safe, and be excited for the future when we are all on the other side of this We send all of you our love and support, and we will see you in June 2021."