It turns out this is because of a broken USB stick. Working while using Ubuntu Studio, breaking somewhere in the process of 'burning' Kubuntu. With a new USB, installation works as expected.
** Changed in: kubuntu-meta (Ubuntu) Status: New => Invalid -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Kubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to kubuntu-meta in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1914769 Title: Kubuntu 20.04 USB boot disk fails To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/kubuntu-meta/+bug/1914769/+subscriptions -- kubuntu-bugs mailing list kubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/kubuntu-bugs