The annual Wide Days music convention has announced that its 2025 edition will not take place.

The organisers of the long-running event broke the news that it would be taking a break this year, following difficulties with its funding and budget.

However, the team are committed to returning as usual in 2026, thanks to a Creative Scotland multi-year funding award, although it is a three-month delay in this being confirmed and the subsequent organisational issues which has ultimately led to the postponement – “the requirement to adapt our year-round programme and budget in line with what we were awarded, has left us unable to plan a convention based on the time and resources available,” the Wide Days statement read.

While Wide Days’ conference element has been a useful educational tool for up-and-coming artists as well as those looking to begin a career in the industry, it is the annual showcase events, open to the public, which are of most interest to gig-goers and music fans. Hamish Hawk, Rebecca Vasmant, corto.alto, Be Charlotte, Kathryn Joseph, C Duncan, Honeyblood, and Withered Hand are among the then upcoming acts who have performed in small Edinburgh venues such as over the past 15 years.

However, Wide Days has committed to continuing its other work with new talent, and has thus announced New From Scotland – two nights of new music, on Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd May, at La Belle Angele and Sneaky Pete’s

The shows are part of a 12-month talent development programme (in partnership with PRS Foundation), with the selected acts receiving a package of support, including mentoring from a range of industry figures.

The Wide Days statement signs off: “We will be announcing a range of activities in the coming months and will be back with Wide Days 2026 news, later this year.” Ticket holders for this year’s event will be automatically refunded.

More at widedays.com