This year’s Newport Folk and Jazz festivals have been cancelled due to COVID-19

The organisers of the Newport Folk and Jazz festivals have announced that this year’s events won’t be going ahead due to COVID-19.

The Newport Folk Festival was to happen on 30 July – 2 August, while the Newport Jazz Festival was slated for August 7-9. Both festivals were set to take place at the Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island.

In his letter addressing the cancellation of the Newport Folk Festival, Jay Sweet, executive director of the Newport festivals foundation wrote:

“This is the letter I was praying I wouldn’t have to write, feeling we need the healing powers of live music more now than ever. It is with the heaviest of hearts we announce the cancellation of the 2020 Newport Folk Festival.”

A similar statement was provided to address the cancellation of the Newport Jazz Festival.

This year’s Newport Folk Festival was to feature performances from artists such as Ed O’ Brien, Big Thief, Randy Newman, and Phoebe Bridgers among many others. Similarly star-studded, The Newport Jazz Festival boasted a stacked line-up including the likes of Norah Jones, Hiromi, Robert Glasper and Khruangbin.

The organisers of both events have assured ticket purchasers that refunds will be issued in full, with an additional option to apply their refund towards tickets for next year’s events.

Further down in his statement, Sweet said fans that all announced artists for the now-cancelled events have been invited to perform at 2021’s corresponding events. He also hinted at alternative events that may take place in lieu of the in-person festival, writing “we promise we will all commune one way or another on our festival weekend.”

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