Big Music Fest | McLennan Park

[The85]

Big Music Fest

McLennan Park, Kitchener

bigmusicfest.com

2015 Date: July 10-12

BIG Music Fest by Matt M S, on Flickr

Promo Video: 

[The85]

Big Music Fest not growing to weeklong event
November 27, 2014 | Jeff Hicks | Waterloo Region Record

Big Music Fest is not expanding to seven days in 2015.

"No way," said Jeff Young, the City of Kitchener's special events manager.

So, if you saw it, please dismiss that teaser video from www.bigmusicfest.com that was shared on social media last week. The video suggested the event would be seven days.

If a second Big Music Fest happens this July 10-12 at McLennan Park, it won't be expanding to a full week, the city says.

And the tantalizing video has been altered. It now says three days, not seven...

[Urbanomicon]

Big Music Fest not growing to weeklong event
November 27, 2014 | Jeff Hicks | Waterloo Region Record

Big Music Fest is not expanding to seven days in 2015.

"No way," said Jeff Young, the City of Kitchener's special events manager.

So, if you saw it, please dismiss that teaser video from www.bigmusicfest.com that was shared on social media last week. The video suggested the event would be seven days.

If a second Big Music Fest happens this July 10-12 at McLennan Park, it won't be expanding to a full week, the city says.

And the tantalizing video has been altered. It now says three days, not seven...

This was clarified on their Twitter feed. The event will be three days as normal, but there will be other events around the city for four days. I'm thinking something along the lines of the "Twelve Bar Blues" at Bluesfest. 

[panamaniac]

The organizers are claiming that the 2014 Big Music Fest generated almost $7million of economic activity locally. The 2015 event is scheduled for July 10 - 12, again in McLennan Park.

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/5249...-7m-boost/

[The85]

ROD STEWART, SOUNDGARDEN AND JANE’S ADDICTION TOHEADLINE BIG MUSIC FEST 2015 

- FESTIVAL RETURNS TO KITCHENER JULY 6­-12, 2015 – 

TORONTO, ON – (February 10, 2015) – Big Music Fest is back for 2015! One of Ontario’s biggest music festivals, the 2015 edition will take place July 6­-12, launching with activities in the heart of downtown Kitchener, and capping off the week with three days of concert performances at McLennan Park. This year’s event sees programming expand to seven days and features one of its most exclusive lineups to date. 

Headlining the weekend concerts at McLennan Park are two­ time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and international rock icon Rod Stewart with iconic Blondie on Sunday, July 12th and sonic powerhouse Soundgarden with alt­rock pioneers Jane’s Addiction on Saturday, July 11th.

Additional performances throughout the weekend include Canadian JUNO—award winning rockers Monster Truck, multi­ platinum selling Extreme, energetic blues rocker Matthew Curry and recording artist and world renowned dancer Mark Ballas with his dynamic 8­ piece band. 

Weekend tickets will be available for purchase as of Friday, February 13 at 10:00 a.m. EST on bigmusicfest.com or 1.866.943.8849 to charge by phone. Tickets are priced at $88.50 for single­ day and $150 for two­day general admission access. A limited number of single­ day VIP reserved seating tickets will be available for $139.50. Applicable taxes and service fees will be charged at time of purchase.

Big Music Fest 2015 will kick off celebrations on Monday, July 6 th with events throughout downtown Kitchener until July 9 th , including a concert stage, the Big Music Food Fest, and Breaking Films. The popular Ontario­ wide band search Breaking Bands will once again lead activities at McLennan Park on July 10 with a free concert for the public.

Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.

LINEUP: 
Saturday, July 11 
Soundgarden
Monster Truck ­ 
Extreme 

Sunday, July 12 
Rod Stewart
Blondie
Matthew Curry
Mark Ballas 

About Big Music Fest 
Big Music Fest is one of Ontario’s largest and most exciting all­ages outdoor festivals. Since 2008, the event has attracted a loyal following of festival­goers and in its first year in Kitchener generated in excess of $7 million in economic impact for the city. More than 70,000 music fans will converge to take in performances by emerging talent alongside marquee headliners and to experience “A World of Music in 7 Days”. 

[clasher]

With Soundgarden and Jane's Addiction it looks like they are trying to attract some more of the age 30-40ish crowd, I remember those bands were pretty big in the 90s. Hopefully they have a dry week before the festival.

[The85]

Big Music Fest cancels Sunday show featuring Rod Stewart, Blondie
CBC News | June 10, 2015

Big Music Fest has cancelled its Sunday, July 12 show at Kitchener's McLennan Park, according to a post on its Facebook page.

Festival organizers did not explain why it pulled Sunday's lineup, which featured headliners Rod Stewart and Blondie. Its Saturday night show with Soundgarden and Jane's Addiction will go ahead as scheduled...

Full article HERE

[Urbanomicon]

The CTV story on this said that the organizers pulled the plug on the Sunday show because the "lineup did not resonate with the community." In layman's terms, low ticket sales. 

Honestly,  I can't say I'm surprised. The demographic that listens to Rod Stewart doesn't have much overlap with the demographic that will stand outside shoulder to shoulder in front of a stage for 10 hours. Put Rod Stewart in an indoor venue with seating and I think you would see a different turnout. 

[Spokes]

And at this point it's too late to replace them. Oh well, learning experience for next year

[tomh009]

I would prefer to sit (yes, that demographic) but I would have been willing to stand in order to see Blondie. Oh well.

[panamaniac]

Lots going on this week at Carl Zehr Plaza as part of BMF:

Tuesday: Free concert by Jully Black (8:30 p.m.) and Kitchener's Eric Charles Band (7 p.m.) at Carl Zehr Square, following a pop-up market and beer garden at Kitchener City Hall offering food samples from downtown restaurants (4 p.m.).

Wednesday: Breaking Film, free screenings of local indie short films (4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.), at the Apollo Cinema. Free concert by Lee Harvey Osmond (8:15 p.m.) afterward at Carl Zehr Square, followed by live soundtrack performance to "Night of the Living Dead" by the VOC Silent Film Harmonic inside city hall (9:30 p.m.)

Thursday: Kitchener rockers the Saigon Hookers — playing under the pseudonym Tommy and the Boys (9:30 p.m.) — will cap off an undead-themed day of zombie walks, makeup artists, costumer competitions and more at city hall.

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/5711...this-week/

[panamaniac]

Big Music Fest 2016 has been cancelled.

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6390...t-on-hold/

[kwliving]

Big Music Fest 2016 has been cancelled.

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6390...t-on-hold/

No sorrow here. The promoter basically stole the city grant.