Here at Consequence of Sound, we live for music festivals. Whether the event of choice is located in a favorite city or on a field in the middle of nowhere, even the act of getting there inspires an unbearable sensation of anticipation, comparable to Christmas mornings from childhood. Over the past decade, the festival climate has changed from a handful of events to nearly every major market having a musical destination to call its own.
While the likes of Lollapalooza and Sasquatch! sold out in record time and Austin City Limits followed Coachella’s example and expanded to two identical weekends, not every fest has been a success story. The adage goes that it takes a few years for a music festival to turn a profit, and some never made it past those early days plagued by logistics and the occasional identity crisis, while others simply fell out of fashion. Here’s a look back at 20 festivals that are no longer with us.
10,000 Lakes
When: 2003-2009
Where: Detroit Lakes, MN
What: Four days of jamming on a scenic, lake-surrounded ranch
Who: Wilco, Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, Pretty Lights, The Flaming Lips
Why: A weak economy coupled with a rise in competition rendered 10,000 Lakes financially unsustainable.
Today: The festival is missed by its fans, but there are currently no signs of a return in the near future.
All Points West
When: 2008-2009
Where: Liberty State Park, NJ
What: Coachella East
Who: Radiohead (twice!), Jay-Z, Tool, My Bloody Valentine, Jack Johnson, Animal Collective, The Roots, St. Vincent
Why: According to official word from AEG in regards to a possible 2010 edition, booking suitable headliners proved too difficult. The previous year endured so much rain that ticketholders could use their Friday pass to attend Saturday or Sunday for free. Very generous, but the organizers surely lost a fortune. Attendees were limited in the number of drinks they could purchase, which was a major buzzkill, man.
Today: Naysayers claimed that New York did not need a festival since the city gets hundreds of must-see shows every year. However, there are music lovers outside the city that don’t have that luxury, and plenty of locals seeking that outdoor, multi-stage experience with a diverse offering of performers. Governors Ball Music Festival has risen to fill this void, making a return of All Points West even more unlikely.
