The singer-songwriter wrote on his Twitter that he was “Gutted to announce that unfortunately I’m no longer able to play Tramlines or Latitude this week as I’ve recently contracted COVID, I’m currently recovering in isolation dreaming about the rest of the wonderful gigs that we have in store for you this year!” 

Gutted to announce that unfortunately I’m no longer able to play Tramlines or Latitude this week as I’ve recently contracted COVID. I’m currently recovering in isolation dreaming about the rest of the wonderful gigs that we have in store for you this year! See you soon- Alf

— alfie templeman (@alfietempleman) July 22, 2021

With live music attempting to get up and running again, the fact that we’re still in the middle of a worldwide pandemic still can’t be ignored. As can be seen, this is something that’s already having an impact at Latitude, with two acts already dropping off this weekend’s bill. The other act pulling out is Fontaines D.C., which told fans that during routine testing, one of the band members tested positive for COVID-19. meaning the band and crew now have to self-isolate.

Headlining Latitude this weekend are The Chemical Brothers, Bastille, Bombay Bicycle Club and Wolf Alice, while Sheffield-based festival Tramlines will see The Streets, Royal Blood and Supergrass top the bill who replaced Richard Ashcroft as headliners. Ashcroft announced that he would be pulling out of his headline performance at the event as it is set to be part of the government’s Events Research Programme.

Data from the first stage of the ERP was published recently and confirmed that just 28 people who attended pilot events researching the impact of large-scale gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic tested positive for the virus.

The Hillsborough Park party will take place in July and last 3 days starting on Friday 23rd and finishing on Sunday 25th. Festival organisers announced over forty artists to perform on five stages. The headliners include The Streets on Friday, Royal Blood on Saturday and Richard Ashcroft on Sunday. Besides music you can expect arts, comedy and performances.

Other artists that will perform during the festival weekend are, on Friday: The Kooks, DMA’s, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Jake Bugg, The Slow Readers Club. On Saturday you can see Blossoms, The Sherlocks, The Magic Gang, Biig Piig and Lucy Spraggan. Sunday will wrap up with Dizzee Rascal, Tom Walker, Everything Everything, The Snuts and many more. Please see the full lineup below.

⚡️ RT & LIKE FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN 6 x VIP WEEKEND TICKETS⚡️

Tramlines 2021 is here! The Streets (@mikeskinnerltd) @royalblooduk @richardashcroft + so much more!

FINAL batch of tickets on sale this Friday at 12pm. Sign up for ticket alerts https://t.co/Rb0wq6MV1c pic.twitter.com/z20JklVBkd

— Tramlines Festival (@tramlines) April 26, 2021

Timm Cleasby, Tramlines Festival operations director said: “The pandemic has hit us all very hard in a million different ways but the support that Sheffield has already shown us is incredibly humbling for us all”. He added: “We’re super excited to bring you what I feel is one of our strongest line ups. The three main headliners have been on my list for a good while now and we’ve got some brilliant returning friends as well. All this said, we’re very serious about the public’s safety and take our responsibilities regarding Covid very seriously. We’re keeping a close eye on developments and will act accordingly should things change.”

Tramline festival started first in 2009 as a free inner city show and quickly became one of the biggest festivals in the UK. It received the UK Festival Award for ‘Best Metropolitan Festival’ in 2009 and 2011.

Large number of ticket buyers for the cancelled 2020 event retained their tickets, therefore only a limited number of tickets will be available, currently priced at £130, while day tickets cost £45. Remaining tickets will be available to purchase from Friday 30th April 12pm via Tramlines Page.