Africa Oyé, Liverpool's renowned festival celebrating African culture and music, has announced the cancellation of its 2025 edition, becoming the first UK festival to do so. The decision stems from unprecedented cost increases of over 30% in infrastructure and compliance.

Artistic director Paul Duhaney explained that without major investment to cover rising costs, proceeding with the festival would be financially irresponsible. The organizers hope to resume the event in 2026.

This cancellation adds to the growing list of 211 UK festivals that have ceased operations since 2019. The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has been advocating for government intervention, specifically requesting a reduction in VAT on festival tickets from 20% to 5% to help sustain these cultural events.

AIF CEO John Rostron highlighted that despite strong ticket sales, 2024 witnessed record festival closures. Post-pandemic challenges, combined with Brexit's impact, have reduced profit margins to nearly zero for many event organizers.

The AIF represents 145 UK music festivals, ranging from intimate 500-person gatherings to major events hosting 80,000 attendees. Collectively, these festivals reach over 3.3 million people annually and include prominent events like GreenBelt, Mighty Hoopla, End of the Road, and Notting Hill Carnival.

Without immediate government support, the UK risks losing more of these vital cultural institutions that serve as cornerstones of communities nationwide.

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