More US festivals pushed back to autumn
Following the postponement earlier this month of California’s Coachella, other major US music festivals are falling prey to the coronavirus outbreak, with Bonnaroo, BottleRock and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival among those to have rescheduled for later this year.
Live Nation/AC Entertainment’s Bonnaroo Music & Artists Festival, based on the ‘Farm’ in Manchester, Tennessee, announced yesterday (18 March) it will take place from 24 to 27 September instead of the originally scheduled 11–14 June.
Bonnaroo, one of the longest-running multi-genre music festivals in North America, was to have been headlined by Tool, Lizzo and Tame Impala, with Miley Cyrus, Flume, Bassnectar, Lana Del Rey and Vampire Weekend also confirmed. It is unclear if all artists will play the rescheduled event.
“Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival will be rescheduled to take place September 24–27, 2020, out of an abundance of caution and for the health and safety of all Bonnaroovians, artists, staff and our community,” reads a statement from the festival.
“Please continue to radiate positivity through this uncharted time in our world,” it adds. “Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you on the Farm this fall.”
BottleRock Napa Valley, originally scheduled for 22–24 May, has, like Coachella, been pushed back to October (albeit a week earlier, 2–4 October).
“The health and safety of the community, our musicians, festival fans, participants, sponsors and staff are paramount”
“It is with great pleasure we can announce that all our headliners, including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Nicks, Dave Matthews Band, Miley Cyrus, Khalid, Anderson Paak and the Free Nationals, Zedd and more are confirmed for the rescheduled dates,” the Napa, California, festival – also a Live Nation event – says in a statement.
“Additional line-up updates will be announced as soon as possible,” BottleRock adds.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, whose 2020 line-up features the Who, Foo Fighters, Stevie Nicks, Lizzo, Lionel Richie and Dead and Company, is also now taking place this autumn, though organiser New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation has to announce the new dates.
“At the direction of the City of New Orleans authorities, in response to ongoing Covid-19 health concerns, the 2020 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will not occur this April and May, as scheduled,” reads a statement from the festival. “The health and safety of the community, our musicians, festival fans, participants, sponsors and staff are paramount, and we urge everyone to follow the guidelines and protocols put forth by public health officials.”
Jazz Fest was originally scheduled for 23 April to 3 May.
The postponements follow the outright cancellations of the 2020 editions of South by Southwest, Ultra Music Festival Miami and the UK’s Glastonbury Festival.
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Live Nation acquires BottleRock Napa Valley
Live Nation Entertainment has acquired a majority interest in the BottleRock Napa Valley music, wine, craft brew and culinary festival.
BottleRock will remain under the leadership of festival producer Latitude 38 Entertainment, whose founders Dave Graham, Justin Dragoo and Jason Scoggins, will continue to be significant shareholders and owners of the festival.
BottleRock Napa Valley, held annually each May, showcases more than 30 local wineries and dozens of restaurants. Celebrating its fifth year, the 2017 festival is set for May 26 – 28 and is expecting more than 120,000 attendees with Foo Fighters, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and Maroon 5 headlining.
“The Latitude 38 team has created a festival unique to the Napa Valley that has widespread appeal. BottleRock Napa Valley adds another leading North American festival to our growing and diverse portfolio.”
“The Latitude 38 team has created a festival unique to the Napa Valley that has widespread appeal,” said Jordan Zachary, chief strategy officer, Live Nation Entertainment. “BottleRock Napa Valley adds another leading North American festival to our growing and diverse portfolio.”
“We couldn’t be happier to partner with Live Nation Entertainment,” stated Dave Graham, CEO of Latitude 38 Entertainment. “This move provides an opportunity to tap into Live Nation’s scale and artist talent resources, which will allow us to continue to develop and improve upon the BottleRock experience – combining great music, food and wine, with the best that the Napa Valley has to offer.”
BottleRock joins more than 80 festivals in Live Nation’s global festival portfolio including Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Reading, Leeds, Governor’s Ball, Electric Daisy Carnival, Rock Werchter and more.
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