Festival cut back

Nelson Arts Festival organisers have been forced downsize the event, cutting almost 30 shows from the schedule, including a Tami Neilson concert. The Nelson Festivals Trust said alert level lockdown restrictions had made it ‘‘impossible’’ for the October 21–31 event to go ahead as planned, given the number of artists from around the country involved. A concert starring indie band The Beths is also cancelled. The revised programme will be locally focussed. The decision to cancel shows was made this week to give the artists, technicians, and contractors involved as much notice as possible.