2009 Festival cull: Langerado

Miami's Langerado Festival is cancelled, just five days after adding Modest Mouse and Deerhunter to the line-up.

There's an explanation:

“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.”

The festival was due at the start of next month; the suspicion has to be that it won't be the last festival to drop off the radar this year.

Festivals on the instalment plan

James P emails, bringing news of plans by US festivals to allow tickets to be bought on HP terms:

The $120 (£82) cost of Langerado, which takes place in Miami in March, can be paid over three months. The festival features artists such as Death Cab For Cutie, The Pogues, Snoop Dogg and Ryan Adams and the Cardinals.

The lineup for Bonnaroo, from June 11-14, is yet to be announced. Special pre-sale tickets are being offered until December 31 and include five instalments of $50 (£33).

James sees Carol Vorderman's First Plussed hands in this, and wonders if there's going to be other options:

The Langerado line-up currently includes Ryan Adams, Death Cab for Cutie and Snoop Dogg. Oasis haven't been approached yet, although if they are, the beer tent will presumably offer the audience the opportunity to consolidate all their urinations into one managable bottle.

Still, it's nice to see festival organisers at least realise that they've reached a point where their entry fees have got completely out of line with what the audience can afford - although if you're flogging something expensive, putting up "Interest Free Credit" signs all over the place hardly reduces the sense that you're looking for someone to make a hefty investment in something. They might have tried, perhaps, reducing the prices a little first?