Coronavirus impact: Splendour in the Grass 2020 postponed

Splendour in the Grass, one of the biggest music festivals on the Aussie calendar, is the latest event to be postponed due to fears over coronavirus.

Splendour in the Grass is the latest large-scale music festival to be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, with organisers today announcing the event will be pushed back to October.

Originally scheduled for July, the multi-day music and camping festival in Byron Bay attracts a long list of headline acts – many of whom have already committed to come to the rescheduled dates.

“Flume, The Strokes and Tyler, The Creator have all confirmed their attendance for these new dates alongside most others,” the organisers said in a statement today.

“As this is moving quickly and we work through the details there will be some programming changes but we are confident that rescheduling to October – a one-off Spring edition of Splendour – is the best way to ensure we present the Splendour experience you know and love.”

The Strokes were due to spearhead a mammoth line-up to celebrate the festival’s 20th anniversary. Picture: Joseph Prezioso / AFP)

READ MORE: Follow the latest coronavirus updates

All tickets purchased for the original July dates are valid for the rescheduled festival, now booked to take place at North Byron Parklands on October 23-25.

Splendour’s rescheduling comes in the wake of a slew of festival cancellations as Australia grapples with the mounting coronavirus crisis. Hobart’s Dark Mofo, Sydney’s Vivid Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival have all been cancelled in recent days.

Fans have applauded organisers for rescheduling, rather than cancelling, the festival.

“Good work Splendour! thanks for looking after us and not cancelling at the same time,” wrote one on the event’s Facebook page.

“Great call Splendour!! Been pretty nervous waiting to hear what you guys would do,” said another.

However, some others questioned the decision to pick a date “right in the middle” of NSW HSC exams.

“1000’s of kids sitting their final exams after what is going to be a heck of a year for them , considering half their school time will be cancelled potentially… this might cause a lot of unhappy young teenagers,” wrote one person on Facebook.

Ticket holders who are not able to attend the new dates will be able to apply for a refund from Moshtix. Moshtix will be in touch with all account holders directly.

The rescheduling could also be good news for those who missed on tickets first time around, with Splendour to offer a special ticket release with refunded tickets in the coming weeks.