This That music festival announces February return

NEWCASTLE'S biggest music festival This That has moved to February 20, 2021 due to the continuing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the past six years This That has been held in early November to mark the unofficial start of the Hunter's summer festival program.

With current COVID-19 social distancing restrictions forbidding music festivals, it would have been impossible for This That to continue with their regular November scheduling.

In a statement festival organisers said: "This That are currently working with Federal, State and Local Government authorities on an all-encompassing health and safety plan, including advice around ongoing COVID safe protocols."

Last year 17,000 people packed into Wickham Park for the youth-based festival, which featured Peking Duk, Hermitude, Golden Features, Meg Mac and Middle Kids.

The line-up for the 2021 edition is yet to be announced, but it's highly likely the festival will feature an all-Australian line-up and crowd capacity would be significantly diminished.

This That festival will also be held at the Sandstone Point Hotel in Moreton Bay on February 13.

There is no confirmation whether This That's sister festival Scene & Heard will also be rescheduled for February or scrapped altogether.

Scene & Heard kicked off in 2018 and features a line-up aimed at an over-30s audience. Last year's line-up was headlined by Wolfmother, The Dandy Warhols and Eskimo Joe.