When AEG Live announced that it was bringing a new festival to New York City next summer, many assumed that the festival would represent a sort of Coachella of the east. AEG Live, owner of such entities as Goldenvoice (who organizes Coachella) and the House of Blues brand, revealed that the new festival would be called Panorama and would take place two weeks after New York’s current flagship music festival, Governor’s Ball.
Some fans considered the possibility of the two festivals cannibalizing each other’s attendance numbers, and the Governor’s Ball organizers have taken action to prevent that from happening. Late this week, Governor’s Ball uploaded a petition to Change.org asking NYC mayor Bill de Blasio to delay the festival to another time during the year. The petition stated the Governor’s Ball organizers suspect AEG Live is attempting to organize Panorama two weeks after their own festival to drive them out of business.
Given that Governor’s Ball is an independently run event, Panorama has a distinct advantage if attendance falters. AEG Live’s deep pockets protect their numerous events, while Governor’s Ball stands largely on its own. To further promote the petition, Governor’s Ball sent out an email to everyone on their email list asking fans to sign the petition and help the festival from losing its audience.
Read the full text to Governor’s Ball call-to-action email below:
To the Fans, Supporters, and Fellow Music Lovers,
We’re writing you today to ask for your support to help keep Gov Ball alive for many years to come. We started the festival back in 2011 with one goal in mind: to bring a major music festival that New Yorkers could call their own to our hometown. One that was specifically curated for the eclectic music lovers of New York City. One that featured the very best of NYC cuisine. And one that operated with the attendee experience as the #1 priority.
As a small, independent company in an industry dominated by major corporations and rapid consolidation, we’ve come a long way and given hundreds of thousands of you first class entertainment. Sadly, today our future is in jeopardy and we need your help.
As reported in The Daily News and multiple industry news outlets, AEG is lobbying the Mayor’s Office and other city agencies for approval of a major festival in Flushing Meadows Park in Queens two weeks after Governors Ball. The timing of this proposed event is an aggressive, greedy attempt by AEG to push a small independent company of born and bred New Yorkers out of business and out of the market.
We are writing you today to ask for your support and tell the Mayor’s Office and the City of New York to reject this proposed event that would take place two weeks after Gov Ball. We are asking that this proposed event take place at another time of year because this would allow both events to succeed. Please help Gov Ball survive and continue to serve you – the fans, friends, and family – for many years to come!
Sign the petition now.
With Sincerity, and Gratitude,
Team Gov Ball