Takedown Festival has announced it’s postponing this year’s edition, with all ticket-holders to be offered a refund.
Organisers today explained that building works currently being undertaken at the Grade II-listed venue of Portsmouth Guildhall will be extended across the festival dates, resulting in the loss of two key areas of the festival site and a reduction in capacity that made it no longer viable for this year.
The festival had been due to take place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April, with both Creeper and Dinosaur Pile-Up announced as headliners.
Other artists on the line-up included Kid Kapichi, Casyette and Trophy Eyes.
Takedown Festival is set to return in 2025 with, it is hoped, much of this year’s line-up carried forward.
Further details will be announced soon but in the meantime all ticket holders will be refunded by their point of purchase.
Speaking about the decision, Takedown Festival Ltd Director and CEO of The Guildhall Trust, Andy Grays has said:
“Like many historic buildings, the building works to the basement of Portsmouth Guildhall have given contractors a few surprises along the way!
“The main problem being a concrete slab that needs to be drilled for drainage being much deeper than anticipated which has added several weeks to the build schedule.
The Base will be one of the most unique creative spaces for young people anywhere in the country once completed, and an incredible asset for Portsmouth, but obviously the unforeseen extension to the works and impact on Takedown Festival will be disappointing for the bands and fans alike.”
Takedown Festival Ltd and Divergent Festivals Directors, Kai and Sarah Harris, meanwhile, added:
“We know a lot of people are finding things tough at the moment and while we have extended our early bird price initiatives and offered split payment options, as one of the first festivals of the season, we have found this year to be particularly challenging.
“This combined with the impact of the extended building works has forced us to consider all options and postponement is the only viable option for this year. Takedown Festival has a really loyal following, and we are determined to use the additional lead-time to hit back next year and deliver the event the fans deserve!”
Visit the festival’s official site for more information and to read their statement in full.