This year’s Taunton’s Live in Somerset has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
LCC Live, which has hosted a series of live music shows in Taunton’s Vivary Park since 2014, made the announcement with a ‘heavy heart’.
Its director, Les Kidger, said:
“We’re so disappointed that we won’t be able to host live music in Taunton this summer.
Shows such as Live in Somerset take a considerable amount of time to put together, and with the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision not to put on any live shows this year.
Instead, we’re focusing on 2022 and are organising a series of shows for Live in Somerset.
Year-on-year we’ve brought some of the biggest artists to Vivary Park, attracting thousands of music lovers, and contributing significantly to the local economy.
LCC Live is very much committed to returning to the region in 2022 with three shows next summer.
2022 will definitely be bigger and better, with measures in place to safeguard fans.
We’re in talks with a number of artists for shows next year.
What is clear is that they are all really missing touring and seeing their fans, so there is a desire to put on live shows as soon as it is safe to do so.
As we make plans for our next series of live shows, we would like to thank our suppliers, partners including Somerset West and Taunton Council, local carnival clubs, as well as the public for their ongoing support.
It’s been a difficult time for the music industry, but their encouragement has made us more determined than ever to come back!”
Tom Jones, Scouting for Girls, Kaiser Chiefs, Status Quo, Will Young and Paloma Faith have all performed in Taunton’s Vivary Park over the years.
Announcements for LCC Live’s shows in 2022 will be made later this year, once there is a clear indication that it is safe for mass gatherings, like live music events, to be held.
Councillor Marcus Kravis, executive member for economic development at Somerset West and Taunton Council, said:
“It is disappointing that one of the most popular weekends on our event calendar has been impacted by the effects of Coronavirus for a second year.
We look forward to welcoming Live in Somerset back to the county town as soon possible.
However, in these unprecedented times our priority as always is the health and safety of our residents.”