Lionel Richie will no longer be performing at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival as a result of him cancelling his European tour, it has been announced.
It was first announced that the ‘Penny Lover’ and ‘All Night Long’ singer would perform at Seaclose Park in December 2019, but when COVID struck in March 2020 the festival was put on ice – and so was Lionel’s first appearance on the Island.
With hopes of a return to normality in 2021, Festival organisers had lined up Lionel to headline the event in June 2021, but this was pushed back to September – a date that Lionel couldn’t make. And so he was announced to be joining the 2022 line-up back in September.
However, it has now been confirmed by the Isle of Wight Festival that Lionel Richie will no longer be performing at Seaclose this summer, hinting a replacement act will be announced soon.
Taking to social media, Richie has blamed the COVID pandemic for the cancellation of his European tour.
In a statement he has said:
“As Covid and its variants continue to impact the world, I have decided to hold off on my European tour this summer. The most important thing to me is the health of my fans, band and crew.
“I hope you all understand and I hope to see you very soon when we can all gather safely. Please visit individual festival/event websites for further information and details on how to collect refunds”.
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Lionel Richie was due to perform on the Friday night alongside Lewis Capaldi and Nile Rodgers.
Covid? Well he will never tour again then will he, it is here to stay.
He’s getting on in years, can’t blame him for playing it safe. At his age even flu could be bad news. If he was in his 30’s then I would agree with you.
Yet he’s still continuing indoors at Vegas. Money really does talk!
Robbed!!! Bad bad line up this year
“GOODBYE””It wasnt me your looking for “
Not too bothered, as long as Muse don’t cancel!
Once, Twice, Three Times a failure………