When Phish announced they were returning to the stage for three shows on March 6-8 at the Hampton Coliseum, the only jamfans who weren’t happy were those running the Langerado Festival which was scheduled for the same dates at Miami’s Bicentennial Park. Add a lackluster lineup and the worst economic downturn in recent history and it’s no surprise that the Langerado promoters have just announced the cancellation of this year’s festival.
Here’s the announcement from Langerado.com…
Feb 3, 2009
The 2009 Langerado Music Festival has cancelled due to sluggish ticket sales.
Langerado’s independent local promoters, faced with a very tough decision in a dismal economy, cancelled the 2009 event only after every possible option was exhausted.
As Langerado Co-Promoter Ethan Schwartz explains, “Langerado has always put the fan experience first. Unfortunately, during these difficult economic times, and facing a first year in a new venue, it’s become apparent that we cannot execute a production that lives up to the high standards of our past events. Putting Langerado on hold was the toughest decision we have ever had to make. We are very grateful for the support of the greater-Miami community and the music community during this difficult time.”
All tickets purchased will be refunded. Please look for ticket refunds to be processed in the next 5-7 business days. Each order will be refunded to the credit card in full, minus the included order processing fees. Shipping fees will also be credited for those orders that did not select the free shipping promotion. For information on ticket refunds please contact Music Today www.musictoday.com
We feel bad for Ethan and the Langerado crew, but we feel terrible for the fans who shelled out money for plane tickets and other non-refundable arrangements. I guess our giveaway for a pair of tickets is moot, sorry ’bout that folks. We had a blast over the past three years at Langerado and we hope this isn’t the end for the South Florida Jams crew. Were you going to Langerado? Tell us your story by leaving a comment below…
15 Responses
Somewhere, somebody is blaming the Disco Biscuits
Shouldn’t the title of this article read “Langerado Falls Victim to Phish” ?
they should credit back the processing fees as well- thats bullshit- why screw the fans over?
Word is Ryan Adams through a hissy-fit and demanded that if he wasn’t playing, no one could play. He then pulled an air pistol out and opened fire, leaving the promoters no choice but to do his bidding.
Don’t think you can place all the blame on Phish here. No doubt it contributed to it, but line up was so, so at best. I’d also imagine that a lot of people were waiting for the Bonnaroo line up to come out, which blew this out of the water.
Also hard to get people there when its not in the summer months. Just my opinion.
Simply put, if you run the numbers for a three-four day excursion with all the intangibles, including living like a human being when down there ( yeah, I’m old) one gets into early four digits, yes? In this time and economic situation, that is asking too much. Add to that, a mediocre line-up at best, plus the point raised by Mr. Greenblatt about needing to cater to the student demo who can travel more freely over the summer – This should be no surprise.
Sadly, I would adore being in Hampton next month, but when realistically looking at it (assuming I could find tix), I will have to harass Stick dog to send me discs…
It’s true, Miami is just too expensive – esp. that time of year for most fans to get their value from this fest. If one can go to Caribbean Holidaze for $1500, drink and eat for free for 4 days and party down on a beach in Jamaica with no rules and amazing people, this event can’t really compete.
Sad day, I’ll always have a warm place in my heart for Langerado at Markham Park. We had an amazing 3 years in a row there, glad we got in when the getting was good!
Langerado was always THE Spring Break festival, and in my opinion the best way to get the festival season started each year. Ethan and Co. always did an amazing job putting together the event – pulling an amazing, memorable, and unique roster of bands together for jam and rock fans alike. It will be missed.
kudos to ethan for running 6 amazing festivals
as we all learned a decade ago……you can never top big cypress
why did they decide not to do Langerado at Big Cypress again? I went for the first time last year when it was held there, and it was a damn good time. I know they had trouble with people waiting in line in cars to get out there, but once that was over the rest of it seemed to run fairly smoothly, logistically speaking. I was annoyed when I heard that this year’s fest would be held in downtown Miami, where hotels are way out of my (and most students’) price range, and even more disappointed when I saw the lineup. my decision to skip it in protest didn’t leave me too upset or disappointed to hear that it had been cancelled. definitely sucks for the folks who already bought airfare, though, and it’s ridiculous that they’re not refunding all of the fees involved.
might I suggest, if you already have plane tix to FL, checking out the Harvest for Hope Fest for the same dates in St. Augustine? I’m not wild about the lineup, but it’s a cheap camping fest at a beautiful time of year for a good charity.
http://www.harvestforhopefest.com
I have to agree with Hannah. I attended the past couple of years and had wonderful experiences. I camped next to some wonderful people and bonded with others. As soon as I heard they were doing away with the CAMPING, it was going to be held in MIAMI and some of the bands were even more mainstream then last year, I decided against going. Yes the economy has something to do with it, but in my experience, most dead-heads, crunchies, hippies, tree huggers, etc. will stop at nothing to try and get to a concert/festival, including my broke self. (I need a miracle!) In a world of crime, hatred, and just plain rude people, festivals are a way for us to escape all the mayhem. We go there for the friendly people (who aren’t afraid to smile you, say hello, and lend a hand), the CAMPING/being close to nature, the amazing artwork, the dancing, the extra-curriculars, and the NON-MAINSTREAM music and crowd. Call me hopeful, but festivals are suppose to be similar replicas of the original Woodstock,(minus the fact they’re not free). Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a b%^&c* fest, I’m just disappointed. To leave on a high note, I would like to thank Ethan and the Langerado team that have done a WONDERFUL, EXCITING, FUN-FILLED job these past years that I have gone and will deeply miss the Langerado experience this year. 🙁
P.S. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE can camping be involved next year??!!
why would any body feel sorry for Ethan Schwartz.He was the promoter that ruined langerado this year
When the announced the venue every one spoke out ,and disagreed with the venue Change
He blamed the feed back on hippies not liking the venue.
He also delayed the line up for months only to come up with the worst lineup possible on December 12,2009
Way to late for any one to get excited thanks but no thanks for making us lose all are deposits plane fair and evething else 5 weeks before the show
Langerado raised the price of the tickets to the last tier as if they had sold the 1st and @ 2 tier out
only to find out that they were only selling 25 to 30 tickets aday.
I feel like we all were put together from the start