Words by Riley Fitzgerald
Graphic by Linda McCartney

While Paul McCartney himself is alive and well in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, he will not be appearing at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

Despite the 200,000 strong annual event announcing last week that it would press ahead despite the outbreak, Glastonbury’s organizers have now canceled the festival.

“Following the new government measures announced this week,” the festival’s showrunners wrote via Twitter, “and in times of such unprecedented uncertainty – this is now our only viable option.”

“We were so looking forward to welcoming you all for our 50th anniversary with a lineup full of fantastic artists and performers that we were incredibly proud to have booked,” they share. “Again, we’re so sorry that this decision has been made. It was not through choice.”

Tickets purchased will be rolled forward into the 2021 event.

Refunds will also be available.

As one of the festival’s marquee acts Paul McCartney was set to have appeared this June and perform at the event’s famous Pyramid Stage.

While not officially stated, it is likely the 2021 events will have a different lineup.

This said it is not impossible McCartney could again appear.

The news follows widespread public shutdowns across the UK.

With many European nations taking similar precautions it is likely Paul McCartney‘s May and June European tour dates will also be postponed.

As for McCartney himself, he is simply happy to still be around.

“I thought I was going to die at 28,” the Beatle confessed in a 2019 interview with the BBC. “To hear that I’d lasted till 77 would have been great news.”

We are so sorry to announce this, but we are going to have to cancel Glastonbury 2020. Tickets for this year will roll over to next year. Full statement below and on our website. Michael & Emily pic.twitter.com/ox8kcQ0HoB

— Glastonbury Festival (@glastonbury) March 18, 2020

Paul McCartney 2020 Tour Dates
05/23 – Lille, FR @ Pierre Mauroy Stadium
05/26 – Paris, FR @ Paris La Défense Arena
05/29 – Nijmegen, NL @ Goffert Park
05/31 – Bordeaux, FR @ Stadium Matmut
06/04 – Hannover, DE @ HDI Arena
06/07 – Lyon, FR @ Groupama Stadium
06/10 – Naples, IT @ Piazza Plebiscito
06/13 – Lucca, IT @ Mura Storiche
06/17 – Barcelona, ES @ Olympic Stadium
06/21- Werchter, BE @ TW Classic Festival
06/27 – Pilton, UK @ Glastonbury Festival (Canceled)