festivals
Marchers Demand Return of Dutch Music Festivals
Leonie der Verkleij, a freelancer who works in hospitality services at events, was among those marching in Amsterdam. “The festival industry feels like an unwanted child,” she said. “It feels like all sectors are important except ours.” Amsterdam municipality appealed mid-afternoon for no more people to join the march as it was too crowded. The Dutch government has banned large-scale events such as festivals until at least Sept. 19 amid fears over the spread of the highly infectious delta variant. One-day events with a maximum of 750 visitors are allowed for people with a COVID-19 app showing they have been vaccinated, have recently tested negative or have recovered from a case in the past six months. Organizers of Saturday’s protest want the ban lifted on Sept. 1. They point to overseas e...
Clive Davis on ‘Welcome Back NYC’ Concert, the ‘Power’ of Central Park & Being ‘Vigilant’ About COVID
The big show is right around the corner. Have there been any last-minute developments or surprises? There have been no surprises and really no changes. The thing that has knocked me out has been the number of artists, as they have been rehearsing on the Great Lawn in Central Park, who have either called, texted me or emailed me saying what a wonderful occasion this is and the power of the venue. Apart from the purpose of the concert, we all know the history of who has played in Central Park and the iconic concerts there. The stage that has been constructed for the event is also awesome, and all of these artists are so knocked out by it all. It’s been so gratifying to hear from them as they prepare for tomorrow. I’m wondering about the shows or performances you’ve seen in your life. What ha...
Every 2021 Concert & Festival Canceled Due to COVID-19
Alan ParsonsThe Grammy-winning musician announced Aug. 20 that his U.S. tour would be postponed due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. “Nothing is more important to me than the safety of my band, crew, the concert staff, and most importantly of course, you — the fans,” he explained in a statement. “This has been a very difficult and devastating decision — we were so thrilled to be returning to the stage for the first time in over a year and a half. The world could use more music right now, however, it just isn’t safe yet for us to come together indoors for events like concerts.” Nine Inch NailsNine Inch Nails announced Aug. 19 they will not return to the stage in 2021. “When originally planned, these shows were intended to be a cathartic and celebrator...
J Balvin, Sech, Becky G & Rauw Alejandro Close Weekend 1 of Mexico’s Baja Beach Fest: Recap
The third day of Baja Beach Fest in Rosarito, Mexico, capped a weekend of hitmakers, including Anuel, Ozuna and Karol G. On Sunday, J Balvin closed out weekend one, following stellar performances from Sech, Becky G, Rauw Alejandro, Paloma Mami, Jhay Cortez, Justin Quiles and Sky Rompiendo among others. Here are the highlights: J Balvin: Balvin returned to the Rosarito festival for a second time, this time as the main headliner, and fans welcomed him with a huge, echoing roar the instant he set foot onstage and opened with — wait for it — “Mi Gente.” The Colombian icon, gleaming in bleached hair and tan-colored cargo attire, played a riveting hour of hits, including “X,” “Con Altura” and “Que Calor.” Maverick male backup dancers in quirky outfits backed him up, a standout moment...
Milwaukee’s Summerfest Offering COVID-19 Refunds
Processing of refunds could take up to a week. Summerfest is set to run on the first three weekends in September. The festival will feature performances by Green Day, Luke Bryan, Chance the Rapper, Twenty One Pilots, Megan Thee Stallion, Guns N’ Roses, Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and many more. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat and make money in the process. Earn rewards by chatting, sharing photos, blogging and help give users back their fair share of Internet revenue.
Lil Wayne Headlines Uproar Hip-Hop Festival With Performances by Big Latto, Polo G and More
Ahead of Big Latto’s performance, several dancers showed off their skills during the Uproar Dance Competition. Solo performers competed for a cash prize of $3,000 while dance duos competed for the $5,000 cash prize. Also before Latto hit the stage, a number of rising artists performed their own original music. Additional performers included: Young Money Featuring Gudda Gudda, Cory Gunz, Lil Twist, Hoodie Baby, Euro, Jay Jones, Yaj Kader and Mellow Rackz. R&B hitmaker Mario was among those to attend. Lil Wayne’s Uproar Hip-Hop Festival comes one year after the release of his 13th studio album, Funeral. The album peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and charted for 19 weeks. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimag...
Louder Than Life Festival to Require COVID-19 Vaccines or Negative Tests
Fans, artists, and staff at Louisville music festival Louder Than Life will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, Louder Than Life says. “To protect the health of our fans, artists, staff and crew, all attendees will be required to show proof of either a full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test,” organizers wrote in a statement. “For fans who are not fully vaccinated, a negative COVID-19 test result must be obtained within 72-hours of the first day of coming into the campgrounds or festival grounds.” Masks will be required in any indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It be...
Amid COVID-19 Protocols, Mexico’s Baja Beach Fest Returns With Ozuna, Karol G & More
“We’ve been working with every state and city department to make sure that Baja Beach Fest is as safe as possible,” BBF founders Aaron Ampudia and Chris Den Uijl said in a press release. “We’re excited to show the world that live music can come back in a way people can feel comfortable with.” On a similar note, a local policeman on the ground, who asked to remain anonymous, told Billboard, “Mexico continues to enforce strict laws about not letting the public enter inside establishments without a mask. If they decide to walk outside without one, we can’t issue a ticket, but we always encourage everyone to take precautions for the safety of everyone.” The measures were enough to make artists feel at ease. “I actually felt weird [returning to the stage], but I felt safe, and that’...
Watershed Music Festival in Washington Tied to Over 160 COVID-19 Cases
More than 160 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed so far among people who attended the Watershed Music Festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre in central Washington. More than 20,000 fans packed the Gorge, in George, Wash., for the three-day outdoor country music festival in late July, The Seattle Times reported. The Grant County Health District said Friday (Aug. 13) the cases are tied to residents in counties including King, Grant, Pierce, Skagit, Kittitas, Okanogan, Whatcom, Kitsap, San Juan, Lincoln and Stevens. There’s also one case tied to an Oregon resident. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat and make money in the process. Earn rewards by ...
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2021 Canceled Over COVID-19 Safety Concerns
This year’s Jazz Fest, which annually celebrates the culture and heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana alongside performances by national and international artists, boasted a lineup including Foo Fighters, Lizzo, Demi Lovato, H.E.R. and Brandi Carlile, among many others. This isn’t the first time Jazz Fest has been impacted by COVID-19. The 2020 edition of the festival — which traditionally takes place at the end of April and early May for eight days — was also canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. “We now look forward to next spring, when we will present the festival during its traditional timeframe,” organizers said on Sunday, adding that next year’s dates are scheduled for April 29-May 8. Ticketholders for both 2021 festival weekends will receive an email...
Can Festivals Really Come Back? What’s Next After Lollapalooza
Since it became clear that Lollapalooza would be the first major multigenre U.S. festival since the start of the pandemic, promoters hoped it would kick off a shortened but vital festival season, with Bonnaroo, Governors Ball and Firefly scheduled to follow in September. But circumstances have changed as another wave of COVID-19 cases spreads — along with fears that festivals could become super-spreader events. In Chicago, one source tells Billboard that, as Lollapalooza approached, promoters grew nervous that public health officials would impose limits on the event’s capacity. Live Nation and rival AEG have already worked out a compromise with the major talent agencies in case other festivals are forced to cancel. If that happens 30 to 60 days before the event, the promoter only has to pa...
Illinois Is Smoking: Pot Sales Peak, Thanks to Lollapalooza
Because recreational marijuana was legalized in Illinois in January 2020, pot was legal in the state during Lollapalooza for the first time in the festival’s 30-year history. Although it’s illegal to smoke or otherwise consume the drug in public or around anyone younger than 21 years old, the large crowds at Grant Park boosted sales by as much as 50% at nearby dispensaries in River North and the West Loop, operators told the Chicago Tribune. “We saw thousands of festivalgoers over the weekend at our River North store, making it our biggest weekend to date,” said Jason Erkes, spokesman for Chicago-based Cresco Labs, whose Sunnyside Dispensary in River North was the closest to the festivities. In July, Illinois’ 110 dispensaries sold a record 2.8 million recreational weed products. State res...
