It’s with heavy hearts that the Worcester Music Festival committee announce that the 2020 festival will no longer be taking place. The decision has been made in the interest of safety for all of the festival’s volunteers, artists and audiences.
The festival, which was set to take place 11th-13th September, welcomes musicians of every genre to play in the city’s best-loved venues, pubs and spaces to raise money for charity.
However, due to the pandemic leaving the livelihood of Worcester’s music and arts scene hanging in the balance and Worcester’s venues facing an uncertain timeframe for reopening, it simply isn’t feasible for volunteers to spend time and resources on planning an event that may not be able to go ahead closer to the time.
Anthony Robbins, Festival Director, commented: “It is with great sadness that we’re making the decision that Worcester Music Festival can’t happen this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We, of course, have to ensure the safety of our audience, artists, crew, volunteers and venue staff.
“I hope that we’ll be in a position where live music in venues and festivals can return in 2021. Live music is not only a passion for me, but for so many others. Hopefully, we’ll all come out of this stronger, and I, for one, can’t wait to see live music return to my life.
“Keeps safe, keep sane; we will get there.”
For this year’s event, the chosen charity was Worcester Community Trust. Now, with the festival no longer going ahead, the festival will be using alternative routes to fundraise for the charity as well as continuing with them as their chosen cause during 2021’s event.
Anthony continued; “We’ll be fundraising for Worcester Community Trust during our 2021 event, but in the meantime, we still want to help. Worcester Community Trust is providing a lifeline to many members of our Worcester communities.
“Each week, they’re continuing to go above and beyond in providing care packages, meals and support to vulnerable individuals. With our main fundraising event no longer going ahead, we’re asking everyone to donate and support in any way possible.’
The festival has created a JustGiving page where they’re inviting usual festival-goers to donate what they can in support of Worcester’s communities. And, in the coming weeks, the committee will be announcing addition fundraising plans
For those who would like to donate, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wmf2020-wct
The Worcester Community Trust are also currently seeking donations of non-perishable food items, such as pasta, baked beans, soup and cereal. In addition to food, donations of children’s toys, such as puzzles, activity and colouring books will be much appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at the Ronkswood Community Centre (Canterbury Rd, Worcester WR5 1PJ) on Monday-Thursday between 9:30 am and 2 pm.