Osheaga Music and Arts Festival joined the list of events affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic over the weekend after it was suspended due to the public health crisis.
While the beloved Montreal-based music festival has not been cancelled, it has not yet been rescheduled, either. It was initially set to take place between July 31 and Aug. 2, however the festival is now “suspended” for the time being, according to Evenko, the promoter in charge of the event.
“Evenko understands and will comply with the government’s decision to protect the health of employees and festivalgoers,” the statement reads.
Tens of thousands of festivalgoers from around the world were set to gather at Parc Jean-Drapeau to celebrate not only the music of weekend headliners Foo Fighters, Lizzo and Kendrick Lamar but many, many other artists.
Osheaga’s not the only Evenko event that’s taken a hit due to the coronavirus pandemic, either: electronic music festival îleSoniq and the inaugural, country-centric Lasso Montreal have also been impacted.
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ÎleSoniq was set to return in early August, while Lasso Montreal was set to debut later that month.
“We are truly saddened by this situation, but everyone’s health must remain our top priority,” Jacques Aubé, president and CEO of Evenko, said in a statement on April 10.
“It is too early to specifically announce the status of each of our events,” wrote Aubé. “We want to take the time to properly think about each of them and evaluate our options.
“We will do everything we can in order to minimize the impacts of this decision on all parties involved by trying to postpone events, when possible.”
As of this writing, the status of Osheaga, îleSoniq and Lasso Montreal remain unclear.
Global News reached out to a representative of Evenko on Monday seeking further comment.
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