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Connected Festival to return to Lydd Airport for 2020

Connected Festival - which saw 6,000 people party for 12 hours straight at Lydd Airport - will return this year.

The inaugural event took place overnight on Saturday, October 5 2019, kicking off at 6pm and coming to a close at 6am the following morning.

Connected Festival at Lydd Airport in October 2019. Picture: Dan Desborough
Connected Festival at Lydd Airport in October 2019. Picture: Dan Desborough

More than 100 acts from the world of dance music and drum and based performed over five stages, one which was positioned in the airport's new hanger.

Performances came from So Solid Crew, Andy C, Wilkinson, Problem Central and many more.

Now, organisers say the festival will go ahead once again, but with some slight changes.

It has been brought forward a month, and will be held on Saturday, September 12, rather than October, with the hope of some sunshine for revellers, subject to licencing approvals.

The timings have changed too - and instead of an overnight rave, will now be held in the day from 12pm to midnight.

6,000 people attended last year's rave. Picture: Dan Desborough
6,000 people attended last year's rave. Picture: Dan Desborough

And organisers say the changes were influenced by guests at last year's party.

Rohan Mulvaney said: "We have had a great response from a recent post-event questionnaire from our social media platforms which have informed us on things that went well and things we need to improve on, for which we will implement over future events.

"Following feedback from the customer, one of the key changes to this year’s design is to change to an all-day event.

"We have also pulled forward the date into September where we hopefully have sunshine!

Wilkinson plays to crowds at last year's event. Picture: Dan Desborough
Wilkinson plays to crowds at last year's event. Picture: Dan Desborough

"Our focus remains on a highest quality of the production, top performing artists and improvement plans for our catering facilities and rest areas."

It is not yet known which artists are lined up to perform.

Bosses have also taken into consideration growing concerns over the Covid-19 outbreak, which is causing major disruptions throughout the UK and the rest of the world.

As well as travel bans, major events such as Glastonbury festival and the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship have been cancelled.

But Mr Mulvaney says the team know what they are doing.

Four of the stages were held in big tops
Four of the stages were held in big tops

He said: "We had a first stage 'go/no go' meeting yesterday (Tuesday) with a very detailed presentation from the new event team I have established.

"We are fortunate to have high level of detailed knowledge from the previous events, for which for us to apply a business decision, this includes the current threat /impact of Covid-19.

"From a Covid-19 perspective we have to tolerate the changing picture and accommodate the government policies to addressing the epidemic, as such we remain on high alert to change.

"We have strategic measures in place for cancellation due to any effect from the Covid-19.

"Mitigations include planning for alternative future event dates or ticket refunds which will be addressed before we go to ticket sale to help protect the customer and our brand reputation."

But for now the team are excited for what it to come.

"The interest from the social media from our announcement yesterday evening has been unbelievable," Mr Mulvaney said. "Like us the customer base want to deal with the current Covid-19 issue and hope that the situation improves and the timing will come good for Connected 2020.

"We will march on and monitor the situation closely."

Click here to see how Connected Festival went last year

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