European festivals on returning in 2021: “We are only more optimistic for the summer”

have told NME in recent weeks that they are reluctant to designate huge sums of cash towards planning events this year because they face financial ruin if events are cancelled without insurance.Appearing at the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee inquiry into  challenges faced by the festival sector today (March 24), Ms Dinenage told MPs she is not prepared to announce an insurance scheme while uncertainty still remains around live events this summer.She said: “The fact is,

Sally Hawkins Boards Stephen Frears’ ‘The Lost King’ Oscar-nominated The Shape of Water star Sally Hawkins has joined the cast of UK comedy-drama The Lost King, inspired by the remarkable 2012 true story of finding Brit monarch King Richard III’s remains under a Leicester car park. Steve Coogan has co-written the script with his Stan & Ollie and Philomena collaborator Jeff Pope. Philomena director and two-time Oscar nominee Stephen Frears is aboard to direct the Baby Cow-produced feature.

Fontaines D.C.

Dave, Megan Thee Stallion and Disclosure have been announced for this year’s Parklife Festival.The Manchester event will return once more to Heaton Park between September 11 and 12, after coronavirus forced the event’s 2020 cancellation.Dave’s Parklife performance will be a UK exclusive headline set, while Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby, Burna Boy, Young Thug and many more will jet in from across the globe for the event.Skepta, Jamie xx, AJ Tracey, Four Tet, Little Simz, Celeste and Pa Salieu are

But organisers say it's no longer about marking BrexitThe first major attractions for the government’s £120m “Festival of Brexit” have been announced – including a “celebration of the British weather”.The 2022 event, which was first touted under Theresa May’s government, was previously described as a showcase for “the UK’s unique strengths in creativity and innovation” after leaving the European Union – with comparisons to the 1951 Festival of Britain.However, organisers now say that the event

Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper's supergroup the Hollywood Vampires have scrapped their summer European tour due to Covid-19 concerns. The band had previously rescheduled dates to August and September, but because of safety concerns surrounding the pandemic, the tour has now been cancelled.

Monty Python star has spoken out a number of times about the European Union and was an avid supporter of leaving the bloc. Cleese was among a number of celebrities who publicly outed themselves as Brexiteers.

Home Team, the UK indie production house founded by Dominic Buchanan and Bennett McGhee, has hired Jessica Hill as Senior Development Executive.

‘The future of UK music festivals’ inquiry began back in January and was first announced back in November following a devastating year for the music festival sector in the UK as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.The inquiry is taking place as uncertainty continues to prevail over the fate of the UK’s festival season in 2021 due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic, and an opening hearing back in January saw talks from the organisers of Parklife and Boomtown.A press release for this week’s

Girl In Red has announced details of a UK and European tour for 2022. Check out dates and ticket details below.The NME 100 alumni and previous Big Read cover star returned with the huge Finneas-produced new single ‘Serotonin‘ earlier this month, along with details of her hotly anticipated debut album ‘If I Could Make It Go Quiet’.

 ongoing investigation into the future of UK music festivals, looking into issues like the impact of Brexit, festival insurance, among others.The inquiry was launched to look into the survival of UK music festivals in the future, with the Committee noting in November that festival cancellations have resulted in revenues being down by 90 per cent in 2020.

Home and Away spoilers follow for UK viewers. Home and Away's Willow Harris faces an angry reaction from Bella Nixon on UK screens next week following her return to Summer Bay.

direct to your inboxLegendary Formula One commentator Murray Walker has died aged 97.Murray, the voice of Formula One, became synonymous with the motorsport through his high-octane commentary.The sad news was confirmed by the British Racing Drivers' Club. The BRDC said in a statement: "It's with great sadness we share the news of the passing of BRDC Associate Member Murray Walker OBE.

Michael Kiwanuka, Laura Marling and Bicep promised.Set to take place over the weekend of March 26-28, this year’s festival will be digital-only due to the coronavirus-enforced shutdown of live music in the UK.Nine brand new performances, as well as 18 sets from previous 6 Music Festivals (which will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer from March 22), will be broadcast on BBC Sounds and iPlayer, with highlights being played on BBC Radio 6 Music across the weekend.

Enter Shikari have rescheduled their upcoming UK and European tour dates, with the gigs now set to kick off in December 2021.The four-piece had been hoping to tour the UK in May and June this year in support of their April 2020 album ‘Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible’, but the UK government’s recent announcement of its ‘roadmap’ out of coronavirus lockdown – which could only see a total lifting of restrictions by June 21 at the very earliest – has forced the band to re-think their

Skunk Anansie have rescheduled their 25LIVE@25 Tour UK and European tour for a second time – see the new dates in full below.The 25th anniversary shows, initially announced in February 2020, were to take in a trio of summer gigs last year followed by an extensive tour throughout October, November and December 2020.With the gigs unable to take place due to the coronavirus pandemic, the band announced a new run of shows that were meant to take place this June. However, Skin and co.

Reading Festival 2021 taking place this summer.Festival organisers responded to last week’s publication of the UK government’s ‘roadmap’ out of coronavirus lockdown – which is hoping for a total lifting of restrictions by June 21 at the very earliest – by confirming that they intend to stage the festival as planned from August 27-29.Tickets for Reading 2021 sold out following that announcement, which was made last Wednesday (February 24).However, Reading Borough Council has since cast doubt on