London’s Mighty Hoopla has just been cancelled because of coronavirus pandemic
Cheryl performs during Manchester Pride 2019 on August 25, 2019. (Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images)
Mighty Hoopla, one of Britain’s most beloved music festivals known for its camp and glittery line-ups, announced its cancellation in a winding statement posted to Instagram Tuesday morning, citing the coronavirus pandemic.
“Due to the continued spread of coronavirus and following recent government statements, we sadly announce that Mighty Hoopla will not take place this year,” the post stated.
Originally starting its life at Butlins in 2016, Mighty Hoopla moved to Victoria Park, London, a year later before finding its home in Brockwell Park in 2018.
The festival, which attracts nearly 20,000 people each year, was due to take place on June 6 and headlined by singer Cheryl alongside a constellation of queer-friendly acts such as Anastacia, Natasha Bedingfield, Sonique, Atomic Kitten and Gabrielle.
The move comes after stringent government measures to curb the climbing coronavirus caseload in Britain has seen Pride celebrations cancelled or postponed, dealing devastating blow after blow to the queer Pride and festival calendar.
Many of which offer the community a space to come together, make new friends and celebrate their authentic selves.
Mighty Hoopla organisers had hoped that matters would settle come summertime, but the viral outbreak has accelerated in recent months and continues to bear down on Britain’s public health service.
Mighty Hoopla ticket holders guaranteed a space for 2021 or can get a refund, organisers say.
“This was not the news we had hoped to share with you, but as an independent festival we had to fully exhaust every option available to us before having to accept the decision that was forced upon us, so thank you for your continued patience,” organisers said.
All ticket holders, the statement read, will be guaranteed a ticket for next year’s festival on June 5, 2021, or have the option for a full refund. Measures to do that will be issued “in due course”.
For London’s LGBT+ community, Mighty Hoopla was a time to throw on their tie-dye and fringe and celebrate queer culture for a day. (Joseph Okpako/WireImage)
The statement continued: “To the hundreds of [National Health Service] staff we pledged free tickets to back in November – your tickets will be automatically valid for 2021.
“We will also be increasing the allocation we give annually to the NHS in 2021 to say a heartfelt thanks for their brave, incredible efforts during this crisis.”
However, it remains unclear whether the acts on the 2020 bill will perform at Mighty Hoopla next year.
