By Yuriy Andriyashchuk
Hip-HopVibe.com Staff Writer
2020 was a disaster for concerts after March. Festivals and tours were either canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SXSW in Austin, TX started their cancellation on March 6 before a pandemic was even declared and we saw other major events such as Coachella and Rolling Loud cancel their festivals.
SXSW went virtual for 2020 and now, it sadly appears that this will be the case for March 2021 and not offer in-person concerts or conferences. They took to their website to announce this very early information. This is happening even after news of COVID-19 vaccines coming to the US this month. SXSW is under the assumption that there will still be significant COVID restrictions there in March, despite almost all of the state’s economy being open right now.
“Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, we expect that the City of Austin will continue its restrictions on large gatherings through March 2021, so it will not be possible for SXSW to stage a large, in-person event within our usual footprint.”
SXSW’s “digital experience” will take place from March 16-21, 2021. SXSW Online Passes will still cost $199, too. Roland Swenson, CEO and Co-Founder, of SXSW, has since released a statement regarding the online transition.
“The challenge of building a new future is one that we’re excited to tackle. This has been such a year of change and we, like the entire world, are reshaping our perspective on how we connect. We’re pleased to be working on SXSW Online as part of our program for 2021, and regardless of platform, we will continue to bring together the brightest minds from creative industries worldwide.”
SXSW performers for 2020 would have included starts such as Megan Thee Stallion, Big Boi, Dreezy, Rico Nasty, and more. Following their cancellation for this year, refunds also sadly weren’t issued to attendees.
Hopefully, these vaccines arrive to every state as soon as possible. Many music fans are ready to attend industry events and concerts whenever they are permitted. Luckily in the south, concerts have returned to nightclub venues as well as different events.
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