CMAT ‘truly devastated’ after headline gig at Lido Festival cancelled

CMAT has said she is “truly devastated” she can no longer headline Lido Festival after the event was rescheduled by organisers because of concerns about the condition of the grounds.

The Irish singer, 30, told her Instagram followers she is “very very sorry” that she will not be able to perform at the event after it was moved to late August.

The festival was due to take place at Victoria Park in east London from June 12 to 14, with CMAT and indie rock band Bombay Bicycle Club among the headliners.

Organisers announced on Thursday that it is being partly rescheduled as it is “unable to take place in June to protect park ground conditions”.

In a post to her fans on Instagram, CMAT – whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson – wrote: “I am very very sorry to tell you that due to issues with the ground at Victoria Park, Lido Festival has to move to new dates in August, and as a result, I – like others on the bill – am no longer able to play.

“As a result our Lido show can’t be rescheduled and won’t go ahead. Automatic refunds are available from the promoter.

“I am truly devastated not to be able to play this festival. I realise this will cause issues for some of you who have bought tickets and may be travelling and for that I can only say sorry.”

The Dublin-born singer was due to headline the event on June 12, and musicians including Father John Misty, Katy J Pearson and Junior Brother were also part of the line-up.

Bombay Bicycle Club, who were due to headline on June 14, said they were “disappointed” about the news in a post on Instagram.

They wrote: “We are disappointed to tell you that Lido Festival on June 14 has been cancelled by the promoter to protect ground conditions in the park; this is a knock-on effect of the work that was required after last year’s events and the wet winter causing further issues.

“This one is very much out of our hands but that doesn’t change how horribly we feel about the impact on fans who have bought tickets.

“We know many of you made special plans and were going to travel from far and wide for this show and we are very sorry for the inconvenience this will cause you.”

The group, comprised of Jack Steadman, Jamie MacColl, Suren de Saram and Ed Nash, assured fans that those who bought tickets will be “automatically refunded”.

Lido Festival announced the news on Instagram on Thursday, and said the changes to the schedule are due to the “paramount importance” of protecting the condition of the venue.

It said that the June 13 line-up, headlined by electronic duo Maribou State, has been rescheduled to August 31 while the other days of the festival will be cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.

The festival was launched last year and is committed to sustainability and green initiatives.

Organisers have said ticket-holders will receive a full refund.