DUTCH GOVERNMENT AIMS TO ALLOW FESTIVALS FROM JULY
“In case festivals still get canceled due to changing COVID circumstances, organisers are likely to be compensated for the costs"
The Dutch Government has said that festivals should be possible in the Netherlands from July.
After the Dutch prime minster had previously announced that nightclubs would remain closed until a vaccine was available for COVID-19, a number of festivals and trial events have announced they are planning to go ahead in 2021, following an announcement from the Dutch government regarding live events.
One festival, Liquicity, which is due to take place from the 16th to the 18th July, posted a statement to their website, explaining that the Dutch government had confirmed festivals should be able to go ahead in the country from the 1st July.
“Great news: the Dutch government has announced that they aim to allow festivals after July 1,” the statement from Liquicity said. “In case festivals still get canceled due to changing COVID circumstances, organisers are likely to be compensated for the costs. Festivals in The Netherlands are currently selling out in record pace due to this new government announcement.”
Liquicity also promised full refunds if the event should end up being cancelled — “in case festivals still get canceled due to changing COVID circumstances, organisers are likely to be compensated for the costs" — and another festival, Lowlands, has announced that two trial events will take place later this year, with 3000 participants expected to present negative COVID-19 tests on entry.
Meanwhile, in the UK, Glastonbury 2021 has officially been cancelled due to coronavirus, but festivals of a smaller scale could take place safely this summer with proper coronavirus measure in place, MPs have been told. Speaking to the House of Commons Culture Select Committee last week, Rowan Cannon of festival organisers Wild Rumpus said that, with social-distancing and appropriate safety measures, small festivals should be “as safe as Sainsbury’s”.
“The idea that the festivals can’t go ahead and be socially-distanced is inaccurate,” she continued. “We can absolutely adapt our programming, put infrastructure in place, [and] change the way that we do things, to enable something to happen with social distancing in place.”
SPAIN WILL BE OPEN TO TOURISTS BY SPRING, TOURISM MINISTER SAYS
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez previously stated the country would remain shut to tourists until Autumn
Spain will be open to tourists by spring, the country's tourism minister says.
After Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, stated the country would remain shut to international tourists until Autumn, Reyes Maroto, the country's tourism minister, has said in a press conference that Spain will begin to reopen in Spring.
Making the admission last Friday, 26th January, Maroto said that “our priority in 2021 is to reactivate tourism and resume safe mobility on a global scale as soon as possible,” and that a staggered reopening will take place.
Tourism is one of the most crucial industries in Spain, especially in nightclub hotspot Ibiza. Spain welcomes approximately 80 millions tourists a year, with the industry providing over 12% of the country’s GDP.
Last year, Ibiza clubs Hï and Ushuaïa officially cancelled all scheduled parties for May 2020 amid the first stages of the coronavirus pandemic, before all bars and clubs were shuttered across Spain. For a recent DJ Mag feature, Anu Shukla investigated how the White Isle has adapted during the pandemic.
In December, it was also revealed that Ibiza clubs and events could use a new app called Liberty Pass to help them open in 2021, according to Spain Nightlife and International Nightlife Association secretary-general Joaquim Boadas. The app collects official information from collaborating medical centres about antigen tests, PCR tests and vaccines, when available. The app then updates with a QR code tied to an individual with a green tick if tests are negative.
ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2021 REPORTEDLY CANCELLED, PLANS 2022 RETURN
In news that we all knew was coming, Ultra Music Festival in Miami has been cancelled for 2021. Tentative dates for the 2022 version will be March 25 – 27.’ According to Billboard, Ultra organizers are awaiting approval for the 2022 dates before officially announcing the 2021 cancellation.
There is no word yet on tickets/refunds for those who still hold 2020 tickets rolled-over to 2021 however one can expect they will be rolled-over again to 2022. Ultra did not offer refunds last year but we hope they will provide those if requested.
BURNING MAN 2021 STILL IN LIMBO, ORGANIZERS PROMISE OFFICIAL UPDATE IN FEBRUARY
A Burning Man Project exec said "it’s impossible to say right now if Black Rock City can happen in 2021.
While nothing compares to summertime in Black Rock City, the definitive status of Burning Man 2021 has yet to materialize, despite a successful November fundraising campaign that crowdsourced over $5 million to keep the dream alive.
A January 21st update from Dominique Debucquoy-Dodley, Burning Man Project’s Associate Director of Communications, revealed that due to the uncertainty of the impact of COVID-19 in the future, "it’s impossible to say right now if Black Rock City can happen in 2021."
"Public health and safety is our top priority," Debucquoy-Dodley continued. "We will only inhabit Black Rock City with the appropriate safety protocols and permits in place."
He also promised that more conclusive information will be announced by mid-February, but with a warning—even if the organizers decide to proceed with the event, unpredictable public health conditions could warrant a cancellation. To stay up to date, Debucquoy-Dodley recommended subscribing to the festival's Jackrabbit Speaks and Burning Man Journal platforms.
Debucquoy-Dodley emphasized his team is doing everything they can to mitigate the possibility of a cancellation, from close communication with the Nevada government and permitting agencies to the formation of a special COVID-19 Task Force aimed at tracking new information and statistics.
Additional notes in the update include new goals for the festival's Sustainability Team, a statement on "Diversity & Radical Inclusion" efforts, and the announcement of a virtual "educational and community-building tool" set to launch in the near future.
"Regardless of whether BRC happens in 2021, we’re committed to elevating and expanding community engagement in all forms," Debucquoy-Dodley wrote. "We have a job to do and we want to do it with you."
Source: The Burning Man Journal
FOLLOW BURNING MAN PROJECT:
Website: burningman.org
Facebook: facebook.com/burningman
Twitter: twitter.com/burningman
Instagram: instagram.com/burningman
TOMORROWLAND SHARES SETS FROM NYE VIRTUAL FESTIVAL ON APPLE MUSIC: LISTEN
Mixes from Armin van Buuren, Boys Noize and Diplo are among the sets available for playback now.
Tomorrowland has shared a selection of sets from 2020's New Year's Eve festival on Apple Music.
Belgian festival Tomorrowland's NYE event, which took place on the 31st December, was spread across four stages adapted to all 27 time zones in the world. It was the latest virtual push from the festival, who also took their flagship festival digital last year.
After sharing footage of the festival exclusively via an on-demand pass, Tomorrowland have now shared sets recorded from the end-of-year spectacular, with performances from the likes of Armin van Buuren, Boys Noize, Diplo and Lost Frequencies available to check out in full.
There's also sets from Duck Sauce, Kölsch b2b Joris Voorn and Major Lazer. Check out the full selection of performances available via Apple Music here.
DJ Mag’s Declan McGlynn wrote about how Tomorrowland's 2020 virtual festival set a new standard for digital events during the Covid-19 lockdown: read the feature here.
Never Stop The Music - The Creation of Tomorrowland Around The World is a documentary about the festival available on YouTube, giving an in-depth look into the technological feat that was its gamechanging event.
DIPLO AND MARK RONSON ANNOUNCE RETURN OF SILK CITY, SHARE PREVIEW OF BUBBLY NEW TRACK
The Grammy Award-winning duo's last original release was 2018's global smash hit "Electricity" with Dua Lipa.
Diplo and Mark Ronson have announced the grand return of Silk City, their Grammy Award-winning collaborative musical project.
Both artists took to Twitter to share the news and post a preview of a new upcoming single. The clip is short but fans are able to get a taste of what's on the horizon, which sounds like a pop-house hybrid akin to their last original track release, 2018's global smash hit "Electricity." Check out the preview below.
Silk City won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2018 for "Electricity," which they released in collaboration with pop superstar Dua Lipa. After a deluge of tweets from fans guessing what vocalist is featured this time around, Ronson toyed with them, asking Diplo, "should we tell them who’s on the track or just let them guess?"
Diplo's tweet includes a link that directs users to a website for the "New Love Club" and an RSVP link. Trying to access Silk City's official website has the same effect. Mum's the word on what exactly the site will entail, but it has the looks of a merchandise drop.
At the time of this article's publication, Silk City has not divulged any further details about the "New Love Club" or their forthcoming song, including a title or release date.
FOLLOW SILK CITY:
Website: silk-city.com
Facebook: facebook.com/SilkCityMusic
Spotify: spoti.fi/3smziUK
BPM FESTIVAL 2021 COSTA RICA POSTPONED TO 2022
Unfortunately due primarily to uncertainty in regards to international travel restrictions, the 2021 BPM Festival set for Tamarindo, Costa Rica has been postposed to 2022.
The new dates will be January 12-18, 2022 in Tamarindo.
According to the event’s ticketing website, in the case of postponement of The BPM Festival: Costa Rica 2021, multi-day festival pass purchasers will have two available options:
1) Credit: Purchasers may rollover their festival pass to the next edition of The BPM Festival: Costa Rica. In addition 5 day passes will be extended to 7-day and an item of free BPM Festival merchandise will be given to the ticketholder.
2) Refund: Purchasers requesting refunds will be entitled to an 85% refund of the ticket’s face value, excluding Xtixs service charges and associated fees. Refunds will be issued and processed within 30 working days of refund requests. 15% of the face value of all multi-day festival passes are non-refundable.
CLUB SPACE AND BAR LAB LAUNCH SPACE PARK, A NEW OPEN-AIR VENUE IN MIAMI
The outdoor venue features four dance floors and follows social distancing and safety guidelines.
Though it may have been difficult to predict just how long COVID-19 would last after nearly a year of global shutdowns and quarantine measures, some concert and nightlife venues have already begun making necessary adjustments to continue operations during the pandemic.
Club Space in Miami is one such venue. With the help of Bar Lab—and with social distancing and safety measures in mind—the fabled club has announced the launch of its new open-air venue endeavor, Space Park.
In the Magic City Innovation District, Space Park’s events debuted on New Year’s Eve with Artbat and Rony Seikaly. As with all the events planned for the outdoor venue, Club Space sorted out the booking, with Bar Lab spearheading the beverage offerings.
"The opportunity of doing an open-air venue at a park with our brothers at Bar Lab came to us somewhere in the summertime," David Sinopoli, co-owner of Club Space, said in a statement to Miami New Times. "It's a lot about timing, and it's a lot about opportunity and collaboration."
"We're local companies. We're here because we love our community, we're friends and coworkers," added Gabe Orta, co-founder of Bar Lab. "We want to make sure we do it the right way, and our intentions are coming from a community point of view. For us, it's going to be as much of a big party. We're going to try our best to make our community happy."
Of course, for the time being, safety guidelines including face masks and temperature checks are in place, and attendance is limited to 25% of the park's 6,000 person occupancy limit. Miami's citywide curfew is also being followed, and events are allowed to be held from 3PM until midnight.
Club Space reopened in October with many of the same safety guidelines, but without the space to provide a truly satisfying live music experience. "Since the park is so much larger, the surface area we are going to be using feels ten times bigger than the club," said Space co-owner Coloma Kaboomsky. "At [Club Space], we have 30 tables. At the park, we're going to have 60 tables with much more room. We are going to have four small dance floors where you have to wear a mask. It's limited capacity, and each dance floor has its own bar."
"It is not just going to be an event space, per se," Sinopoli added. "We're going to grow it and activate other community businesses in there to come in as a micro-concept."
For more information on Space Park, visit Club Space's Facebook page.
Via: Miami New Times
2021 GRAMMY AWARDS CEREMONY POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS
Sources say that organizers are now angling for a rescheduled date of March 21st, 2021.
The 2021 Grammy Awards have been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns, according to a report by Rolling Stone.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the Recording Academy has pushed the Grammys to March 21st, 2021. Considering the impact of the virus prior to the announcement, organizers were already planning a restricted and socially distanced show, devoid of an audience and only open to presenters and performers. However, as the state of California struggles to mitigate the spread of the virus, organizers of the Grammys have decided to pull the plug on the event, which was originally slated to take place on January 31st.
"The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, where hospital services have been overwhelmed [and] ICUs have reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do," said Harvey Mason Jr., the Recording Academy's interim CEO, in a statement. "Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those in our music community and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly on producing the show."
The Los Angeles Times notes that LA County has averaged 184 deaths each day over the last week, and capacity across Southern California intensive care units is currently 0%. In a particularly harrowing report, The Washington Post said that hospitals have been so overwhelmed that ambulance crews are being instructed to administer oxygen only for their most dire patients because they are running out. Moreover, a new memo distributed yesterday by the county's Emergency Medical Services Agency directs paramedics not to transport patients under cardiac arrest if they are unable to achieve spontaneous circulation.
Electronic dance music artists who received nominations for the 2021 Grammy Awards include Diplo, SIDEPIECE, Disclosure, Flume, Toro y Moi, Madeon, Jayda G, and KAYTRANADA, among others. Outside of EDM, Beyoncé led the field with nine nominations, followed by six each for Taylor Swift, Roddy Ricch, and Dua Lipa.
IMMEDIATE ACTION AS BREXIT TOURING PLANS REJECTED BY EU
A petition has already picked up more than 200,000 signatures
The UK Government is being urged to take immediate action after Brexit touring plans were rejected by the EU.
It had been hoped the final UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement, which was reached on Christmas Eve 2020 (just days before new regulations came into place on 1st January 2021), would include special consideration for touring professionals — including free, longterm working travel arrangements for artists and crew. Without such a framework in place, costs involved in UK artists playing Europe, and vice versa, risk becoming prohibitive for many, with emerging and rising talent and grass roots organisations expected to be hit particularly hard.
As it stands, the current deal imposes new regulations, tariffs and visa requirements that will make such tours far more expensive and complicated. It raises further fears over what this fresh blow could mean for the recovery of a UK music industry, which was worth £5.2billion before the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic.
A petition has been launched demanding the UK Government negotiates a new Visa-free cultural work permit for touring professionals and artists, which has already garnered more than 220,000 signatures. DJ Mag has been covering what Brexit could mean for music on an ongoing basis. Read up on advice for European DJs playing British dates, our take on British DJs playing European dates, then dive into official UK guidance for artists touring the EU.