Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Photo Credit: Kgbo
Organizers have officially canceled Bigsound 2021, which had been scheduled to take place in September.
Bigsound higher-ups just recently announced the unfortunate news in a message to fans, describing the two-decade-old music festival and conference’s cancellation as “yet another blow to the Australian music industry.” In terms of the precise reasons behind the decision to scrap the happening, the message cites “Melbourne’s snap lockdown, the extension of Greater Sydney’s lockdown, the growing COVID outbreaks, and increasing restrictions that are in effect across Australia.
“Without our music mates in New South Wales and Victoria and no certain timeline as to when domestic borders will remain open,” the text continues, “BIGSOUND 2021 wouldn’t be able to deliver on its promise to reunite the music community for three extraordinary days of connection, conversation, and music discovery.”
Bigsound’s team also noted their desire to celebrate the event’s 20th anniversary “with something special later this year, so watch this space for more to be revealed in the coming months.” Plus, employees have “begun work immediately on a 2022 event,” and fans will receive refunds for the nixed 2021 edition “in the coming weeks.”
According to the Australian government’s website, there are 81 active COVID-19 cases in Victoria (including Melbourne), with 13 of these infections having been acquired “locally,” against 440 July case locations (some of which include multiple COVID-19 infections) for New South Wales. Queensland (including Brisbane, where Bigsound 2021 was to take place) has recorded two new COVID-19 cases during the last 24 hours, for a grand total of 1,756 positive tests to date, of over 3.18 million tests administered.
New South Wales government officials extended the state’s lockdown measures through “at least” July 30th last week. And officials have also extended Victoria’s relatively stringent lockdown restrictions – “Only one person per household can leave home to get necessary goods and services. They can leave once a day, which means people can’t make multiple shopping trips.”
Though Day Trip successfully kicked off Southern California’s summer-festival season earlier this month – with fans preparing to attend Lollapalooza 10 days from now and Bonnaroo in September – live music’s 2021 comeback hasn’t been without difficulties and setbacks.
Last week, for instance, the Foo Fighters called off a Los Angeles show in response to a positive COVID-19 test, while Tomorrowland 2021 was canceled after local government officials said that the event “cannot take place” in their town – notwithstanding support from different government officials at the federal level.
Additionally, the sold-out Springsteen on Broadway musical made headlines last month for refusing to admit guests who’ve received the AstraZeneca vaccine. Incidentally, the latter is the “main component” of Australia’s vaccination program, and over 6.1 million vaccine doses have been administered thus far in the approximately 25 million-resident island nation.
