Coronavirus claims the tenth anniversary of Electric Forest among the numerous festivals and concerts canceled by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
Music fans everywhere are beginning to accept the hard truth that major festivals of all varieties will not be happening anytime soon. As COVID-19 continues to spread and social distancing remains essential to our survival, events far and wide are forced to postpone or cancel in the name of public health. Electric Forest held out hope that the state of things would change, but with the famous EDM gathering has succumbed to the same fate as most, if not all, summer music festivals.
Today, April 21, organizers for Electric Forest announced the cancellation of their 2020 event by choosing to look ahead to 2021. A message posted to the festival site reads:
After weeks of discussions, input and direction from state and local authorities, and with a full focus on the safety of our community, we have made the decision to look ahead and reunite in 2021.
Sit back from your screen for a moment, close your eyes, and imagine the energy when gates finally open to celebrate the 10th chapter of Electric Forest. Imagine the moment music begins to fill the air. Imagine positive vibrations at levels we have never felt in our lifetimes. It will be an immense moment of celebration, and preparing for that energy will keep Forest HQ working tirelessly until opening day.
In times like these we are grateful to stand strong with you as the Forest Family. We are also eternally thankful to the family members who come together to create so much each year. This includes the artists, actors, builders, food and craft vendors, law enforcement, medical partners, operations teams, production teams, supply partners, and so many others who individually and collectively make Electric Forest so very special and unique.
We are stronger as a community than we are as individuals. Knowing that we will all gather again soon will remain a bright spark and a guiding light—and we will build our moment together.
Those with wristbands and lodging for the 2020 event have the option to either retain their passes for 2021 or request a full refund, including fees. Forest family members can expect a message detailing both options later this week. An FAQ regarding the festival cancellation can be found here.
Festival cancellations are happening too often for anyone to cover every announcement, but we will continue doing our best to bring you all the details here, as well as through our Facebook and Twitter channels. COVID-19 is ruining a lot of plans, but we believe it will only bring us closer as a music community.
