At first thought, festivals seem like too amorphous a “thing” to be bought and sold on the open market. But if you were thinking that, you probably also forgot that this is America, where eventually clean air will be privatized and the poor will only be able to afford the bargain brand that’s tainted with farts, factory pollution, and moldy cheese odors. We’re hopelessly dedicated to laissez-fare here, just in case you forgot.
So on a related (but less cynical) note, the inimitable Hopscotch Music Festival has been sold! Festival Director Greg Lowenhagen had been seeking out a new owner since at least last September, when he told Indy Week about his desire to “talk to some people” deemed serious enough to provide some capital to the festival. Now the unofficial human epitome of “seriousness,” Etix founder Travis Janovich, has taken the reigns with the goal of ultimately making things even more successful. Reportedly, Janovich’s enthusiasm, proximity (with Etix being local to Raleigh), and “reluctance to overhaul the festival” were what put him above the competition.
Likewise, those associating “sale” and “growth” with “inevitable devolution” should rest easy, as Lowenhagen will continue on as the festival’s director. It’s all about harnessing financial resources here, and it certainly helps that Etix has been a partner with Hopscotch since the latter’s inception five years ago. Greg’s just putting a ring on it, is all.
Expect an initial lineup for Hopscotch 2015… this spring, I suppose?
• Hopscotch: http://hopscotchmusicfest.com
• Etix: http://www.etix.com