The 2012 edition of The Big Chill will not be taking place this year due to a timetable clash with the London Olympics. It is not the death-knell for the renowned festival, however, as the intention is to return in 2013.

It leaves quite a sizeable whole in the festivals calendar, with the 2011 event drawing the likes of Chemical Brothers, Kanye West, Jessie J, Metronomy, Robert Plant, 2 Many DJs and many more.

Speaking about the cancellation, Festival Republic managing director Melvin Benn had this to say:

It is with a considerable amount of regret that I have decided not to go ahead with The Big Chill in 2012.

I looked long and hard late last year at moving the date so it didn't clash with the Olympics but the mix of the festival fans desire to keep the date and an inability to find an alternative date that works I plumped for maintaining the existing weekend. Sadly, the artist availability and confirmations we were achieving led me to conclude that I couldn't risk going ahead with the event as an outdoor event this year. Efforts are being made to look to bring a smaller event indoors this year with the anticipation of Big Chill being back outdoors in 2013.

Big Chill 2012 ticket-holders should contact their point of purchase for a refund.