The first day of Field Day festival was hit with delays due to weather and access issues, resulting in multiple performances being cancelled.
Kicking off yesterday (June 7) at the Drumsheds in East London, the two-day festival, which is made up of 10 acres of outdoor space and four gigantic interlinking warehouses, experienced several delays this afternoon. Ailing weather conditions led to some artists on the bill being pushed back or cancelled altogether, according to reports.
“We’re sorry that fans did not get to see @Pipblom and @boy_azooga perform,” organisers tweeted. “Unfortunately, the delays to Main Stage also meant delays to opening the indoor stages.”
We’re sorry that fans did not get to see @Pipblom and @boy_azooga perform today, unfortunately, the delays to Main Stage also meant delays to opening the indoor stages.
For updated stages times please download the official Field Day app.
— Field Day (@fielddaylondon) June 7, 2019
Dutch band Pip Blom tweeted: “We did play. But unfortunately the festival wasn’t open yet. So we ended up playing in front of the crew.” Boy Azooga also tweeted: “We had to go ahead and play, wish we could’ve waited. Am so sorry you had to wait in the rain, obviously we would much rather have had a crowd to play to!”
Earlier today, Boy Azooga also responded to the issues, tweeting: “We’re really sorry and gutted that people were stuck out in the rain while Pip Blom and us were playing at Field Day yesterday. Was out of our control. We hope you managed to get in and enjoy the rest of your day!”
We’re really sorry and gutted that people were stuck out in the rain while Pip Blom and us were playing at Field Day yesterday. Was out of our control. We hope you managed to get in and enjoy the rest of your day!!x
— Boy Azooga (@boy_azooga) June 8, 2019
We did play. But unfortunately the festival wasnt open yet. So we ended up playing in front of the crew and @boy_azooga
— Pip (@Pipblom) June 7, 2019
We had to go ahead and play, wish we could’ve waited. Am so sorry you had to wait in the rain, obviously we would much rather have had a crowd to play to! Dm and I’ll make sure you get guest list to whatever gig we do that is near you!!! Sorry x
— Boy Azooga (@boy_azooga) June 7, 2019
Deciding to delay the opening of the main stage because of safety issues arising from the poor weather, organisers later confirmed that performances by Jessica Winter, Femi Kuti and Kojey Radical had also been cancelled.
⏳ SCHEDULE UPDATES ⏳
Due to earlier weather issues, we regret to inform you that @Jessicawinterr #FemiKuti and @KojeyRadical will not be performing on the Main Stage today. @CrackMagazine, @BULLDOGGIN in association with #BuggedOut & @DrMarten stages are open.
— Field Day (@fielddaylondon) June 7, 2019
Responding to the news, Radical wrote: “We arrived on time and ready to go but the main stage hasn’t been cleared for safety. They had to cancel my performance. I apologise to everyone who came down to see me. It’s really out of my control”
He added: “London festivals let me down this year. I’m gonna put on a proper show for my people asap. Stay locked for announcement soon.”
Unfortunately I won’t be performing at @fielddaylondon today.
We arrived on time and ready to go but the main stage hasn’t been cleared for safety. They had to cancel my performance.
I apologise to everyone who everyone who came down to see me. It’s really out of my control ?
— kojeyRADICAL (@KojeyRadical) June 7, 2019
London festivals let me down this year. I’m gonna put on a proper show for my people asap. Stay locked for announcement soon
— kojeyRADICAL (@KojeyRadical) June 7, 2019
Jessica Winter tweeted that she might “pop up” somewhere tonight to make up for her cancelled Field Day performance.
Im going to try find a place to pop up tonight ?
— Jessica Winter (@Jessicawinterr) June 7, 2019
Leaving some festival-goers unhappy, comments about the delays at Field Day started to pop up on social media. “nice one field day. Fyre festival V2,” one person wrote. “Grim scenes at Field Day. It’s raining, everyone was let in late, nobody is allowed in the indoor arenas yet and no-one has even played a note. Things can only get better, right…?” said another.
More issues emerged later in the day, when many fans were denied entry after 8pm, with several claiming that ticket information did not make it clear that a curfew was in place. You can read some of the reactions below:
https://twitter.com/FILTER06/status/1137295271455592448
@fielddaylondon what a fucking pathetic excuse for a festival you are. We arrive at just before 8pm only to get turned away. We came to see @Skepta and he wasn’t on until 9:30pm so why would we come any earlier? #beyondpissed
— Jordan Kennedy (@JordanMKennedy) June 7, 2019
Field day festival amazing organisation. People with ticket rejected the entrance. Ridiculous. Worst organisation ever #FieldDayLondon #fieldday2019
— José Pedro Ferreira (@JP____A) June 7, 2019
Nice to see Field Day playing their classic album “wtf is happening with this festival?”
— Matt Harris (@__mattharris) June 7, 2019
@fielddaylondon nice one field day. Fyre festival V2
— Dan (@_OnlyDan_) June 7, 2019
Grim scenes at Field Day. It’s raining, everyone was let in late, nobody is allowed in the indoor areas yet and no-one has even played a note. Things can only get better, right…? ?
— Shaun Curran (@shaun_curran) June 7, 2019
People patiently waiting for indoor stages to open… #fieldday2019 pic.twitter.com/Yme3LrG0eR
— Steven Johnson (@_SPJ_) June 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/conorronayne/status/1136984874680799232
Field Day festival have confirmed that all stages are now open and no further cancellations are set to take place. They’ve also issued a reminder to all ticket holders to arrive before the 8pm entry curfew.
? REMINDER?
Last entry is 8pm tonight and we are unable to let anyone in after this time, so make sure you get down early.#FieldDayLondon pic.twitter.com/i6tvZkJSmh
— Field Day (@fielddaylondon) June 8, 2019
Held in East London May 25-26, various videos and photos shared via social media appeared to show it wasn’t as fun a day as it was supposed to be when a ruckus broke out at the gates of the Upminster-based festival involving a huge queue of people.