Following the licensing problems experienced by the organisers of New York's Field Day Festival (who had to shift everything to Giants Stadium at the last minute when local authorities refused permission to use the Enterprise Park), the promoters of the Bonnaroo NE Festival, also hoping to use Enterprise Park, have decided to pull the plug fearing they would go through similar costly licensing issues.
Bonnaroo's website states: "Planning for an event of such magnitude as Bonnaroo NE requires the highest level of cooperation and commitment from everyone involved in order to achieve success. We have investigated and analysed the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of Field Day, as well as the atmosphere which the cancellation has created. After careful consideration, we are disappointed to announce that it is impossible for us to proceed and we must cancel Bonnaroo NE. We have determined that it would be irresponsible to the artists, to the festival goers, to citizens in the community, and to ourselves to move ahead with our plans given the circumstances that now exist."
The Bonnaroo NE festival that would have witnessed The Dead, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan at between 8 and 10 Aug.
The organisers stress that the cancellation will have no bearing on the other Bonnaroo festival, to be held this weekend in Tennessee – expected is to draw 80,000 and see The Dead, the Allman Brothers Band, Neil Young, and James Brown perform.