Feel Good Festival off over coronavirus fears
ROCHDALE Feel Good Festival has been cancelled due to ongoing concerns over coronavirus.
The music event - held at venues across the town centre - was set to feature rising indie-pop star Abbie Ozzard, alternative dance outfit ENNT and folk duo Firewood Island among a host of other acts.
But bosses have reluctantly pulled the festival, which would have taken place on August 22, because of the current pandemic.
Coun Janet Emsley, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture at Rochdale council, said despite hopes for ‘another fantastic weekend’ it had become clear the event could not go ahead.
She said: “There are too many obstacles, too many risks and too much uncertainty. We can’t assume mass gatherings will even be permitted in August, but in any case, safety will never be compromised and in this unprecedented situation we couldn’t guarantee being able to deliver the full Feel Good Festival experience.
“I understand this cancellation will be disappointing for everyone, but we feel this is absolutely the right decision for the safety of all those involved as well as wider public health.”
However, there is some good news for musiclovers as the festival will return next year with a date soon to be confirmed.
Coin Emsley added: “We’re already looking forward to 2021 and are expecting that the majority of acts booked for our main stage and indoor venues will appear next summer along with our hugely popular headliner to be revealed. Rochdale Feel Good Festival 2021 will be one to savour and you can start looking forward to it now. Ticket details will be announced later this year.”
The festival has been held every summer since 2008 and has grown to become the borough’s biggest event, attracting thousands of funseekers from across the north and beyond.
Previous headliners include big name acts such as The Fratellis, Feeder and Toploader.
Ben Boothman, owner of town centre pub The Flying Horse Hotel, has been a long-time supporter of the event.
He said: “We have supported this amazing festival since it was born, and it is bitterly disappointing that it is not feasible to hold it this summer.
“The chances of us being able to deliver it have been decreasing on a weekly basis and given the months of work and organisation required it’s become too big an ask for this August.
“Saying that, after the storm comes the calm. We will all come out of this together and when we do we will be stronger. Rochdale Feel Good Festival will return and we will all get back together again to enjoy one hell of a party.”
For further updates visit Facebook (www.facebook.com/feelgoodfestival) the official website (www.rochdalefeelgoodfestival.co.uk) or follow @ FeelGoodFest on Twitter.