Following the extension of the current Victorian lockdown, Yarra City Council has made the decision to put the 2021 Leaps and Bounds +BEYOND Music Festival on hold indefinitely.
Due to commence on Friday July 16, the massive arts and music program spanning ten days, 66 unique events and over 99 gigs has been put on ice until further notice.
Yarra City Council’s Leaps and Bounds +BEYOND Music Festival was planned to be the COVID-19 adapted festival that brought live music back to the people. It’s spectacular lineup included a sold out Punters Club Reunion at Fitzroy Mills, Charcoal Lane events combining indigenous musicians and food prepared by First Nations trainees, an Underground Roller Disco, Feminist Punk Retrospective and the Coming Out Tea Dance celebrating LGBTIQ culture. There were also projections, a mini outdoor film festival, car park and roadside gigs and an endless string of musical activations designed to reignite the arts scene.
“Unfortunately we’ve had to put Leaps and Bounds +BEYOND Music Festival on hold due to the latest lockdown” says Yarra Mayor Councillor Gabrielle de Vietri. “We’re continuing to monitor public health advice and working with our local arts community to defer shows and refund tickets where required.
“Leaps and Bounds plays a critical role in supporting local artists and venues, which have been significantly impacted by COVID. The event helps boost both the local and surrounding economy and employs more than 1500 artists, producers, technicians and event staff from our arts community.
“I’m so proud of the program our team has built together with local artists and venues this year and we really hope to be able to deliver this iconic event later in 2021. We’re seeking an urgent meeting with the Victorian Government to talk about how we can work together to make this a reality.”
For more information about the Leaps and Bounds festival, including deferrals and refunds for ticketed events, visit lbmf.com.au
