GlobalGathering festival in UK shuts down for 2015

GlobalGathering festival in UK shuts down for 2015

Next year’s edition of GlobalGathering, one of the UK’s long-established dance-music festivals, has been cancelled, the first time it won’t be taking place in its 13-year history.

The only reason given is a short notice on the website: “After 13 years of delivering one of the UK’s most successful electronic dance music events, the promoters of the GlobalGathering UK festival have decided that the festival will take a break in 2015 in order for all elements of the show to be reviewed ensuring GG remains at the heart of the UK dance market.” The full notice can be read here.

But Mama & Company, GlobalGathering’s promoter, said its smaller events in the UK and other festivals abroad will not be affected.

Mama & Company also hosts or co-hosts other big-brand UK festivals such as Wilderness, Lovebox in London and The Great Escape in Brighton.

This year’s GlobalGathering took place at Long Marston Airfield (a former Royal Air Force base) in Stratford-upon-Avon during 25-26 July, and the headliners included Prodigy, David Guetta, Tinie Tempah, Eric Prydz and Katy B.

Despite signing up such stellar names, the UK music-festival scene is growing competitive, and Mama & Company wants to re-evaluate how GlobalGathering is positioned for the future.

Also, it did not help that a young fan inexplicably fell ill at this year’s festival and later died in hospital. Media reports indicate the police force is investigating the matter.

[Juliana Koranteng]