Several UK festivals, including Sunderland’s Kubix Festival, have been cancelled after the parent company Wannasee Ltd announced its bankruptcy. The impact of a difficult trading environment and a sudden collapse in customer confidence led to the inability to continue hosting the events.
Several UK-based festivals have been cancelled as the parent company Wannasee Ltd says it is “unable to continue”.
Among the casualties is Sunderland’s Kubix Festival, thought to be the largest music festival in the North East of England. Launched in 2018, the popular pop and dance festival has hosted the likes of East 17, Peter Andre, B*Witched, Ronan Keating, Steps, Sugababes, Busted, UB40, and Vengaboys.
This year’s edition would’ve seen Shaggy, A1, Louise, Liberty X, Gareth Gates, Basshunter, and more perform in Herrington Country Park on 12 July.
“We’re heartbroken to confirm that Kubix Festival will not be going ahead this year,” the festival’s organisers wrote on social media. “Despite enormous efforts behind the scenes, recent developments have made it impossible to continue.”
“We are devastated… Wannasee has delivered nearly 100 independent festivals over the past 13 years”.
Wannasee also announced the cancellation of Monument Festival in Sunderland, Wannasee Penrith and Wannasee South, Jukebox Sunderland and Jukebox Bingley, Sign of the Times, Stone Valley South, Stone Valley Midlands, and Stone Valley North. However, Lindisfarne Festival and Northern Kin will go ahead as planned.
“Despite extraordinary efforts behind the scenes to secure the future of WannaSee’s events, we’ve reached a point where continuing is no longer possible,” the firm said in a statement posted on Sunday (25 May).
“The impact of a difficult trading environment, combined with a sudden collapse in customer confidence, has left the business unable to recover,” it continued.
“We are devastated. Wannasee has delivered nearly 100 independent festivals over the past 13 years – made possible by the hard work and passion of our team, the incredible support of artists, crews and suppliers, and most of all, the loyalty of our audience. We are proud of what we achieved and heartbroken to see it end this way.
“To all of our ticket holders: we are truly sorry. We understand your disappointment and frustration. Please contact your ticket provider or card issuer for refund information. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being part of this journey.”
A record 78 UK festivals announced a postponement, cancellation or complete closure last year – more than double the amount that fell in 2023. The total had surpassed 40 by mid-May 2024, but currently stands at around 15 as of April 2025.
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.
Published on 17 August 2025 by Ben Robinson
