Ten UK music festivals have been cancelled, and the future of two more hangs in the balance, after events company Wannasee Ltd announced its collapse, affecting the live events industry.
Ten UK Music Festivals Cancelled Following Collapse of Wannasee Ltd
Ten UK music festivals have been cancelled after events company Wannasee Ltd declared that continuing operations was no longer feasible. The collapse of Wannasee Ltd was attributed to a challenging trading environment and a sudden drop in customer confidence. This development has led to the cancellation of ten UK festivals scheduled for this summer, with the future of two other events still uncertain pending ongoing negotiations.
Background
Wannasee Ltd, a festivals company that has been in operation for thirteen years, cited extraordinary efforts behind the scenes to try and secure the future of its events in recent weeks. However, the impact of a difficult trading environment and a decline in customer confidence proved insurmountable, leading to the decision to cancel multiple festivals.
Festival Cancellations
The festivals affected by Wannasee Ltd's collapse include Kubix and Monument festivals in Sunderland, Sign Of The Times festival in Hertfordshire, and three editions of the Stone Valley festival. Acts like Shaggy, Blue, Doves, Public Image Ltd, and The Fratellis were scheduled to perform at the cancelled festivals.
Wannasee Ltd also organized four festivals featuring tribute acts, two under the Wannasee brand in Cumbria and Hertfordshire, and two under the Jukebox brand in Sunderland and Bingley, all of which are now cancelled. The Lindisfarne Festival in Northumberland and Northern Kin festival in Country Durham are two events that might also be impacted, although positive discussions are ongoing to potentially preserve these festivals.
Impact on the Live Events Industry
The cancellation of ten UK music festivals adds to the challenges faced by independent festival organizers post-COVID pandemic. Escalating production costs and concerns about raising ticket prices in a cost of living crisis have created a difficult environment for event promoters. The collapse of Wannasee Ltd further underscores the struggles of the live events industry.
Conclusion
In a statement, Wannasee Ltd expressed gratitude to its team, artists, crews, suppliers, and loyal audience for their support over the years. The company acknowledged the disappointment of ticket holders and advised them to contact their ticket providers or card issuers for refund information. Despite the unfortunate end to its operations, Wannasee Ltd conveyed pride in its achievements and expressed sorrow at the turn of events.
Published on 28 July 2025 by Ben Robinson
