Pilgrimage Music Festival Announces COVID-19 Policy

Pilgrimage Music Festival is making some changes to their attendance policy, as cases of COVID-19 continue to once again rise across the country. The two-day event, held just outside of Nashville in Franklin. Tennessee on September 25 and 26, will now require either proof of the COVID-19 vaccine, or a negative test, in order for guests to be admitted.

“Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival is committed to the health and safety of all guests, artists, and staff,” festival organizers announced in a press release. “In order to protect those on festival grounds, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival has released today (8/16) the following COVID-19 policy for this year’s event to be held on September 25 & 26 at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, TN.”

“To ensure the health and safety of our guests, artists, and staff, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival will require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours prior to entry,” the statement continues. “More details will be emailed to ticket holders, and the festival website will be updated in the coming days.”

The news comes less than a week after Bonnaroo, a four-day festival held in Manchester, Tennessee over Labor Day weekend also announced that they would require proof of the COVID-19 vaccine a negative test as well. Unvaccinated individuals will also be required to wear a mask at Bonnaroo.

More and more restaurants, as well as both AEG and Live Nation, have started requiring vaccinations for entry as well.

“Vaccines are going to be your ticket back to shows,” Michael Rapino, President and CEO of Live Nation Entertainment told NBC News. “As of October 4th we will be following the model we developed for Lollapalooza and requiring this for artists, fans and employees at Live Nation venues and festivals everywhere possible in the US.”

Jason Isbell is among the first of artists to also require vaccinations for his shows.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to go into places and play shows for people, and I don’t think that’s going to last very long, unless we do it carefully,” Isbell tells MSNBC. “There’s never enough. We can’t guarantee that everybody that comes into the show is coming safely, and they’re not going to be spreading the virus, but I think it’s up to all of us to do what we can just to keep the music business running. We’re going to get shut back down again real soon if we don’t start doing this.”

Maren Morris, Tanya Tucker, the Dave Matthews Band and more are slated to perform at Pilgrimage Music Festival. Find more information here.

Read 12 Nashville Venues That Require Proof of COVID-19 Vaccine here.