We have, along with everyone else, been closely monitoring the unprecedented situation that has unfolded this year regarding the Covid-19 pandemic and unfortunately, after committee discussion and following the ever changing UK and Scottish governmental advice along with advice from Public Health, we have made the hard decision to cancel this year’s festival. As you can imagine we are absolutely gutted we can't go ahead.

This decision hasn’t been taken lightly but it is the right one to make. We feel under the current situation regarding Covid-19 that it just wouldn’t be possible or responsible for us to continue with the festival with the uncertainty of whether our venues (the local pubs) will be fully open with regards to physical distancing and the challenges it will bring in social circumstances for the foreseeable future and it would be unfair to put pressure on the acts, venues and staff alike to go ahead. This coupled with the ability to travel freely to and from the Orkney Isles and the health and safety of all the performers, audiences, bar staff and those that volunteer their time to help in the running of the weekend has helped make the difficult decision to cancel.

As always we are ever grateful for the support we have had from our venues, the musicians and acts, those who have provided accommodation, raffle, food, transport, sponsorship, tattoos & face paints, advertisement, time, laughs, hugs and more over the last 6 festivals, without it we could not have made it this far, our Rock Festival family and friends are amazing!

We are hoping to go ahead with our 7th Orkney Rock Festival the first weekend in September 2021 (3rd to 5th) although this will depend on the ever changing circumstances and how the current situation plays out so keep some time free and we’ll be looking forward to getting our hugs and laughs with you all then!

In the meantime, we would like to try putting on a ‘virtual rock festival’ if possible. Let us know who your past favourite acts were, share clips and photos of previous rock festivals with us that you would be happy for us to use. If you are a previous act and are up for being interviewed or have any footage you are happy to share let us know, message us through our email orkneyrockfestival@yahoo.co.uk and we will see what we can pull together for you.

Sending love, 20 second physically distanced hugs 🤗 and best wishes. Stay safe from all at Orkney Live Wire 🤘x

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