One of Australia's favourite touring festivals Listen Out/Listen In has today revealed that their planned 2021 festival will not go ahead. Following last years global cancellation of live entertainment, the festival promoters have deemed it too risky to attempt to put on the festival in 2021. The festival has brought out some of the biggest names in electronic music and hip hop to the country, as well as having broken a wide range of local acts.
In a press statement, the organisers stated, "Given the glacial pace of Australia's COVID vaccination rollout and the likelihood of more lockdowns & border closures, it isn't realistically going to be possible to give you the proper LISTEN OUT / LISTEN IN shows you deserve this year – and we do not want to sell you tickets for a festival that's very likely to be postponed, cancelled or modified. So 2021 will be another fallow year, which means that from today we'll be working harder than ever to create a truly epic Listen Out 2022. It's a bitter pill for us all to swallow yet again, but hang in there and we'll reward you with a festival we've worked on heart and soul for 3 years!"
Despite its shortcomings, Listen Out has removed the uncertainty and gaslighting that comes with the risk in announcing a festival in 2021. From potential postponements, outbreaks, horrible weather, the risk is just too high. It's about time that we get vaccination rates higher in Australia, otherwise large music events like this one being held back will become the norm.
Words by PARRY TRITSINIOTIS
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