Just hours before gates were due to open, Cornwall's Boardmasters Festival 2019 has been cancelled due to "forecasted severe weather conditions".
The music and surfing festival – which would have been headlined by Wu-Tang Clan, Florence + The Machine and Foals, but also featured the likes of IDLES and Slaves on the bill – was set to kick off properly this Friday, with fans able to head to the site from today (August 7).
However, with high winds expected at the festival's site in Newquay, organisers have made the difficult decision of cancelling the entire event.
Read Boardmasters' full statement below:
"Due to forecasted severe weather conditions, specifically high winds, Boardmasters 2019 has been cancelled.
"Following full consultation with all of the relevant authorities including independent safety advisors, Devon and Cornwall Police, emergency services and the Met Office, a final decision was made yesterday evening (6th August).
"The safety of you, the fans and attendees, as well as performers and crew comes first, and the potential risk is too severe for the event to go ahead at this time.
"Refund advice will be shared as soon as possible - please follow Boardmasters’ social media for official updates.
"We sincerely regret the disappointment to fans, and apologise for any disruption caused to local businesses, performers and crew who were looking forward to Boardmasters as much as we were."