Hope & Glory cancelled after safety concerns

Liverpool’s newest festival Hope & Glory, has been cancelled after safety concerns during the opening day.

St. George’s Quarter was the location for Liverpool’s newest festival, Hope & Glory with James headlining on day one. Throughout the day the festival saw artists of old and new, local and national perform.

However after a delay to get the day underway, the stage times went out the window and bands across the festival were playing shorter sets and later than scheduled. Stage times were behind by two hours at one point.

Charlotte Church was due to perform on Saturday evening but in a bid to make up for time, her performance was cancelled. Luckily the Welsh singer was still able to perform her unique live show in EBGBS for just £3 or for free if you had a Hope & Glory wristband.

Festival-goers complained about the organisation as movement across the site proved difficult and huge queues formed outside as people tried to get in. Local police began to turn people away wether they had tickets or not due to overcrowding.

Bands were also critical of the festival’s organisation, with The Membranes stating it “the worst sound set-up we’ve ever experienced” while headliners James, were given an extra half an hour to perform, breaking curfew. The Manchester band apologised as they informed the packed cobbled road that they had to cut songs from the setlist and not performing a full set. People have strongly criticised the organisation of the festival on Facebook and Twitter, demanding an explanation and full refunds.

The festival’s social media issued a brief update of who was responsible for the unfinished building of the site but a full statement in regards to the cancellation is yet to be issued with just a post stating; “No festival today”. Due to play today were Clean Cut Kid, Reverend & The Makers, Ocean Colour Scene and the Hacienda Classical headlining.