Annual Chicago synthesizer convention Knobcon has become one of the most important events for musicians and synth enthusiasts over the last nine years. Today, the convention’s organizers have announced that Knobcon will not be held in 2020 amid concerns surrounding the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
“Due to ongoing restrictions on large gatherings, we have made the difficult decision to reschedule Knobcon Number Nine to September 10th-12th, 2021,” the organizers said in an official statement. “We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause. We look forward to seeing you all at Knobcon in 2021.”
Calling a mulligan on this year’s festivities, the ninth celebration of Knobcon will in fact be held on the convention’s ten-year anniversary in 2021. Existing tickets and registrations, as well as sponsorships already purchased for the cancelled 2020 dates, will still be valid for the rescheduled dates in 2021.
As with most major events and mass gatherings planned for the year, a cancellation due to the global COVID-19 concern comes as no surprise, but still weighs heavy on attendee hopefuls as well as Knobcon organizers. While the community mourns the cancellation of this year’s festivities, many past attendees and fans have already voiced their support for the difficult decision, thanking Knobcon for taking action with their safety in mind.
In Knobcon’s tenure, it has been host to world-exclusive synthesizer and gear reveals from the likes of Roland, Black Market, Noisebug, and others. A yearly Saturday night banquet is hosted, along with live performances and showcases, discussion panels, and a number of featured events.
For more information, visit Knobcon’s official website.
