Will the SWINE FLU (H1N1) Impact the Festival Biz This Season?

          MUSIC NEWS- With the summer music festival season upon us, and with the Swine (H1N1) flu risk still increasing in the USA and around the globe, it's time to take stock on what's happened so far in the music biz, especially with the Wanee (Florida), Bonnaroo, Mountain Jam V (New York State) and L.A. Acousic Music (June 6-7) festivals scheduled for this month!

In the UK, the Glastonbury festival, and possibly all outdoor music events this summer, may be cancelled and bands are pulling out of gigs.  According to reports, this year's UK's Glastonbury Festival may have to be shut down if there is a large scale outbreak of swine flu in the UK, as the virus is easily transmitted, so big events like music festivals would prove to be dangerous.   

Cornelius, the Japanes Beatles-loving pop singer music, cancelled his tour because of "swine ful" concerns and increased governmental travel restrictions," according to the e-mail blast from his publicist. The Japanese artist was due for two Mexican gigs, plus two dates in L.A. and Pomona in mid-May.   Young Jeezy canceled his show at University of Delaware last week "in light of 10 suspected cases of swine flu being discovered on campus".   Back in the UK, Peterborough-based Bhangra-rock band Kissmet last week cancelled a 60,000 capacity gig in Mexico City they were due to play. The band's Ron Singh told Peterborough Today: "As soon as they started talking about people having stay indoors, I knew there would be a problem. Right on the nose, we were told we couldn't go. We are really gutted". Finnish comedy goth band Rasmus and British electronic type FourTet have also confirmed that they are cancelling shows in the city.  Though, The Jonas Brothers and Metallica are still scheduled to perform sold-out shows in Monterrey and Mexico City, we'll stay tuned.

Will festival attendees be concerned about swine flu and stay away? of, will government restrictions cause the events to cancel?  Bamboozle went off OK in New Jersey this past weekend without any reported flu incidents.  As for the upcoming festival events, we've contacted Wanee, Bonnaroo, Mountain Jam and LA Acoustic Fest representatives for info on their plans, we'll update as we speak to them.

UPDATE 5/15/09 - The JONAS BROTHERS have postponed two upcoming shows in Monterrey, Mexico, because of the H1N1 flu outbreak that has plagued the country, it was announced today.  The shows, originally booked for the afternoon and evening of May 17, now will take place on July 31, 2009. Tickets for the May shows reportedly will be honored on the new date.