A music festival organized by former Genesis lead singer Peter Gabriel has been canceled in Glasgow due to low ticket sales. The World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) event was scheduled to take place at Kelvingrove Park on July 3 and 4, making its debut in the city.
Glasgow Life, the event organizer, announced the difficult decision to call off the festival as it was deemed financially unfeasible. Ticket holders will receive full refunds and will be offered discounted tickets for the upcoming event in Neston Park, North Wiltshire, from July 23 to 26.
WOMAD had promised a diverse lineup of established and emerging artists showcasing a variety of global music genres such as pop, dance, folk, jazz, and hip-hop. The festival has a history of being held in 30 countries, including Spain, Chile, and New Zealand.
Notable past performers at WOMAD festivals include Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds, Crowded House, Macy Gray, De La Soul, and Echo and the Bunnymen. The Glasgow event was set to feature artists like reggae singer Hollie Cook, instrumentalist Ustad Noor Bakhsh, and folk-rock trio Peat and Diesel.
In a statement on WOMAD’s website, Glasgow Life expressed disappointment over the cancellation, citing insufficient ticket sales despite positive feedback on the event’s program and vision. Refunds for affected customers will be processed automatically within seven working days, with the option to attend the Neston Park event later in July.
