Dark Mofo has cancelled its 2020 festival in Hobart, due to ongoing concerns around the impact of coronavirus. It was due to be held once again in the Tasmanian capital over June, and this is the first year the festival has been canned in its seven-year history.
It is believed to be the first major Australian music festival to be cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus fears, and the winter festival’s Creative Director, Leigh Carmichael, has said that they have had no option but to move the festival’s program to 2021.
“After a thorough risk assessment on the potential impact and disruption of coronavirus, we have been left with no option other than to move the current program to 2021,” he said.
“The financial exposure faced by David Walsh of a festival-wide last-minute cancellation would run into the millions, and likely end the event permanently. We’ve had to act decisively to ensure Dark Mofo’s long term survival.
“Our current priority is to minimise the implications and cost on our audience, artists, suppliers, sponsors and key stakeholders, and support our staff through a challenging period.”
At the time of cancellation, Bon Iver was the only performances announced for the multi-week festival, and the Dark Mofo team has confirmed that these sold-out shows will still go ahead.
No other performances, panels, or art installations had been announced as part of the 2020 program, but it is assumed that the program will be shifted to form part of the lineup for the 2021 Dark Mofo festival.
