After six years in Kalamazoo, organizers announced that the Audiotree Music Festival won’t take place this year, with Audiotree instead holding a series of special shows in Chicago.
Kalamazoo’s Audiotree Music Festival won’t take place in 2019, with organizers announcing that they’ll instead be staging “once-in-a-lifetime” shows at two venues in Chicago.
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The September festival – held the past six years in Kalamazoo, with the last three at downtown’s Arcadia Creek Festival Place – boasted a strong roster of performers, including Father John Misty, Local Natives, Twin Peaks, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Noname, Lizzo and many more.
The statement posted on the Audiotree Music Festival’s Facebook page said organizers “had the honor of throwing this party in Kalamazoo” and seeing it grow over the years.
“That being said, we have decided to direct our efforts elsewhere in 2019,” the statement continued. “At our home base in Chicago, we are excited to celebrate the 30th and 10th anniversaries of our venues, Schubas Tavern and Lincoln Hall. Throughout the year, we will be honoring these venues with once-in-a-lifetime shows. Keep your eyes open for details on those in 2019.”
The post drew almost immediate reaction from disappointed West Michigan fans, with “bummer” being a common response.
“Cool. The only festival that goes on in this city goes to Chicago, which has plenty,” one fan groused.
Wrote another: “This was potentially my favorite music festival I’ve ever attended this past year in 2018. The most perfect two-day lineup and the most chill atmosphere ever. I told myself I wouldn’t miss it again. Sad to hear this news, but hoping maybe this calls for a return in 2020!”
Whether the festival will ever return is uncertain. A spokesperson for the festival didn’t immediately respond to Local Spins inquiries about the announcement.
Jacob Bullard of the Grand Rapids indie-rock band Major Murphy, which played last year’s festival, called it “a bummer to hear. I am glad that we where able to be a part of it. I could imagine that it would be difficult to host a festival of that size and style in a smaller town like Kalamazoo.”
Check out Local Spins coverage of Audiotree 2018:
Audiotree’s Day 1 throttles up with Local Natives, Khruangbin, Michigander, Moss Jaw
Father John Misty delivers epic, theatrical exclamation point at Audiotree 2018
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