Festival Forum: New lands, new adventures

There is a bumper festival summer ahead (at least at the time of writing!), and with schedules expanding, extra weekends added and new events launching, the spectre of Covid looks to finally be passing. 

But two years of lockdown and restrictions have thrown up a litany of new problems – from the supply-chain crisis to spiraling costs – ensuring the ripples of coronavirus will be felt for years to come. 

Moreover, the Astroworld tragedy has placed crowd safety back under the microscope, with many asking whether more could or should be done to ensure the safety of festival fans. So while music festivals are poised for a triumphant return in 2022, it will undoubtedly be a bumpy ride. International festival bosses plot the way ahead.