Plug pulled on a full series of socially distanced festivals

A major series of outdoor gigs have been cancelled within hours of announcing Jimmy Carr as the surprise headliner.

On Thursday, the comic was announced as heading the line-up of a series of PopUp Picnics starting this week.

But within hours the shows were pulled and the website taken down, with little fanfare.

The mini-festival was due to play a week in Bicester, Walton-on-Thames, Cambridge and Canterbury with other comedians including  Matt Richardson, Hal Cruttenden, Andrew Maxwell and  Jayde Adams set to appear.

The open-air events had already been put back as organiserToby Darvill grappled with social distancing rules.

This latest cancellation follows the axing of several drive-in ventures, with promoters citing disappointing ticket sales and the threat of local lockdowns, and shows the difficulty of organising alternatives to traditional gigs.

Mr Darvill blamed the withdrawal of a sponsor… although none was ever advertised.  In a  statement posted online, he said: ‘The withdrawal of a significant partner had meant it was not possible to deliver the event.’ 

He said all ticket-holders had been refunded.

Boris Johnson on Friday signalled the possible return of indoor gigs as early as August 1, although the logistics and viability of running such shows with social distancing remains to be proved.

Several smaller-scale outdoor events have been announced over the summer, including gigs in the courtyards of the Battersea Arts Centre in South London and the Lakota nightclub in Bristol.

What’s believed to be the first outdoor gig in London will take place this Friday, with Ivo Graham, Helen Bauer, Hal Cruttenden and MC Matt Richardson playing the tea lawn of Lauderdale House in Highgate. Tickets are available here..

Published: 19 Jul 2020