Council cancelled XTC convention at Steam because it was 'inappropriate'

Swindon Borough Council has explained its decision to banish an XTC convention from Steam.

It did not deem it appropriate to host an event featuring music close to Her Majesty's funeral date.

The gathering - XTC convention 2022 - had been due to take place at the town's museum of the Great Western Railway from today - Friday, 16 September - to Sunday, 18 September.

In recent days fans of the band have been arriving in Swindon from all over the world to celebrate the hugely influential Swindon band.

However, according to the front page of the convention's private Facebook presence, the event will now be held at three venues - MECA today, Christ Church Community Centre on Saturday and Jury's Inn Swindon on Sunday.

Cllr Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure and Town Centre Experience, said: “This was not a decision we took lightly and was considered very carefully against the guidance for the national period of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“In light of many other music events being cancelled across the country and the huge outpouring of emotion currently being expressed at a time of local and national grief, we did not feel it was appropriate to host an event featuring live or recorded music up until midnight so close to the funeral of Her Majesty The Queen.

“I appreciate some people may find this decision disappointing and I regret any inconvenience that has arisen for the organisers, attendees and local businesses who were supporting the event.”

Some fans have taken to social media to criticise Swindon Borough Council.

One wrote that some 200 fans had been left in the lurch and added: "Utterly deranged behaviour."

Another said: "Swindon Borough Council hang your heads in shame! Forced STEAM Museum to cancel the XTC convention forcing organisers to switch venues because of the Queen's funeral on Monday."

The same fan pointed out that the convention was due to end on Sunday and added: "No actual reason given, how little do they care about our town's history or art and leisure."