Cambridge Club Festival Among Over 170 Festivals Cancelled This Year
The UK’s Cambridge Club Festival has officially called-off its 2025 event, joining the list of over 170 cancelled music festivals this year.
The Cambridge Club Festival has previously featured stars like Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Grace Jones, The Jacksons, Kool & The Gang, and Lionel Richie since its debut in 2016 as a viral “Gin Festival.” Over the weekend, organizers released a statement on the festival’s official website, noting that “it is with a heavy heart that we announce that The Cambridge Club Festival will not take place in 2025.”
“After seven golden years in the festival field with you, we are now taking a few moments to reflect and look at what the future holds for this special community of music fans,” organizers said. “A great deal of work and love has gone into growing together. We are a small team, and it has taken all of our passion, energy and commitment — but it’s been worth every ounce. We re truly thankful for those crazy, happy weekends.”
Organizers added that “sharing joy with you, even just for a few days a year, has been a unique pleasure and privilege.”
“We’ll be in touch again when we have more information to share with you,” organizers concluded. “But for now, thank you for all the incredible memories together, and for joining us on the CC journey.”
| READ: UK’s 2025 Black Deer Festival Cancelled Amid ‘Unpredictable Ticket Sales’ |
While organizers did not specifically mention a reason for cancelling the 2025 event, it’s likely due to rising costs in the industry. Earlier this month, Black Deer Festival was cancelled after seven years due to “unpredictable ticket sales and every rising production costs.”
They’re not alone; according to Digital Music News, more than 170 music festivals have called it quits this year.
An increase in the cost of living and a spike in costs are partially to blame; according to a Sky News analysis, festival ticket prices have risen 17% in five years, totaling €165.92 in 2024. There are also other factors at play, including the reconstruction of festivals post-pandemic and the increase in production costs.
Freddie Fellowes of The Secret Garden Party told Sky News that global companies that have a share of the festival market can be compared to an “apex predator” noting that they are “there to make money and reward their shareholders. But they aren’t about supporting grassroots, talent, or anything like that.”
| READ: Festival Season Hits Lull With Dozens Cancelled This Summer |
In Australia, large-name events like Splendour in the Grass and Groovin the Moo festivals have been called-off this year, and Ireland saw the cancellation of major events like Body and Soul in County Westmeath and Wild Roots in County Sligo. Even in the U.S., festivals are struggling; Firefly announced it would not return to Dover and Jay-Z’s Made in America festival was called-off for the second year in a row. Lovers & Friends’ inaugural festival was also cancelled, as well as Backwoods Festival, Kickoff Jam, Los Angeles’ Besame Mucho Festival, and the long-running Pitchfork Festival.
Why do you think so many festivals have been cancelled this year? Let us know in our poll on X below:
Why do you think so many music festivals have been cancelled across the globe this year?
— TicketNews (@TicketNews) December 9, 2024
