Richard Ashcroft pulls out of second festival over COVID-19 safety measures

Richard Ashcroft has pulled out of Portsmouth's Victorious Festival taking place at the end of August following discussions with the event over its COVID-19 safety precautions.

The festival, which takes place over the weekend of 27-29 August, announced the news on Twitter, saying he would no longer be performing, and that it would announce his replacement soon.

All attendees of the festival — whose line up also features Madness, The Streets, and Nile Rodgers and Chic — must show proof of a negative NHS lateral flow test taken prior to arrival, or proof of full vaccination, or proof of natural immunity.

The former Verve frontman previously withdrew from Sheffield's Tramlines Festival earlier this summer after it became part of a government trial.

Ashcroft, 49, said in a post on Instagram that he had told organisers he was not willing to perform at the festival once it had become part of the government's Events Research Programme (ERP).

The Bitter Sweet Symphony songwriter wrote: “Apologies to my fans for any disappointment but the festival was informed over 10 days ago that I wouldn’t be playing once it had become part of a government testing programme.

“I had informed my agent months ago I wouldn’t be playing concerts with restrictions.

“The status of the festival was one thing when I signed up for it, but, sadly was forced to become something else.”

Posting a series of laughing face emojis, he added: “It must be an age thing but the words Government Experiment and Festival.”

In a subsequent statement released on Twitter, a representative of Ashcroft added: “Once he was advised that he could only appear subject to certain government restrictions he immediately advised the organisers that he would not appear under those circumstances.”

Yahoo has contacted Richard Ashcroft for a response.

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