Coronavirus: Loop 2020 postponed until next year
Organisers aim to keep the same programme for April 2021 and ask for patience while a new date is found.
Ableton Loop workshop
The Ableton Loop event will be postponed until April 2021, confirm organisers. The Ableton-spearheaded music-making summit has been pushed back due to growing concerns surrounding the global COVID-19 pandemic. It was due to begin on April 24.
However, unlike the debacle surrounding SXSW tickets, Loop ticket holders have two options: to receive a new ticket for the April 2021 dates or receive a full refund.
In a statement posted on the Loop Berlin website, the team explains the rationale: “The health and safety of our attendees is our concern above all else… Given the international nature of our event, we are not confident that we can ensure well-being to a level that is acceptable for us to deliver Loop in six week’s time.”
The Loop Berlin 2020 programme had been in the works for 18 months, so this was seemingly not a decision that was taken lightly. The statement continues: “We are deeply saddened to be forced to take this step but consider it essential in the face of the ongoing viral outbreak, and the guidance we have received from authorities.”
Earlier this week Berlin banned all gatherings of over 1000 people and the city closed state-run music venues in a bid to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The move is not just to minimise further transmission of COVID-19, but also in response to travel restrictions and cancellations as the situation develops globally.
The stellar Loop 2020 line-up included Oscar-winning Joker composer Hildur Guðnadóttir and YouTube music production hero Andrew Huang.
According to the statement, Loop’s organisers are working to deliver the same programme in 2021 as was planned for April of this year.
“We sincerely hope that all those who planned to attend Loop can reschedule plans to join us in 2021… we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported Loop… We humbly ask for patience as we manage the transition to a new date,” the statement reads.
If you were planning to attend Loop Berlin this year and have further questions, Ableton has put together an FAQ on their site here.
