Boston’s Rock The Roots Music Festival Cancelled Without Explanation
A one-day music festival was slated to be held this weekend in Boston, but was abruptly cancelled without an explanation, leaving fans infuriated.
Rock The Roots, sponsored by Angry Orchard, was supposed to feature indie-rock acts Young the Giant, Milky Chance, and New Politics at the show on Saturday. However, on Friday, Angry Orchard changed its Facebook event page to “cancelled.”
“Boston fans: We’re very sorry to announce that the show tomorrow has been canceled for reasons beyond our control,” Angry Orchard posted. “Anyone that purchased tickets from Frontgate or Groupon will receive a full refund. … Our passion for live music and great cider is why we took Rock the Roots on the road, and we are disappointed to have to cancel. Thanks for supporting live music and we hope you’ll continue to do so.”
While there was no official comment made, EVP Production Group contacted the property management department on Friday morning, informing them that the cancellation was due to poor ticket sales, the Boston Herald reports.
Both bands and fans seemed confused about the cancellation. Young the Giant took to Twitter on Friday, noting that they just found out about the cancellation.
We just got word that tomorrow’s Rock the Roots fest in Boston has been canceled. So bummed, but unfortunately this is not our call and out of our control. Wish it wasn’t the case. All tickets will be refunded and hopefully we’ll see you all at another show soon !! ✌️✌️
— Young the Giant (@youngthegiant) August 31, 2018
Another band, CONTACT, found out about the cancellation last-second as well.
Hey All, the promoter just let us know the show is CANCELLED tomorrow. Super vague and sketchy. Please keep us updated on refunds etc.
— C O N T A C T (@thisiscontact) August 31, 2018
Concertgoers, who paid either $55 for a general admission ticket or $90 for VIP, were furious and wanted answers.
@AngryOrchard You guys are handling the Boston Rock The Roots cancellation insanely poorly. Most people don’t know it’s cancelled and it’s supposed to start in less than 24 hrs! How have you not emailed ticketholders yet?!
— Conor Caldwell (@conorcaldwell) August 31, 2018
Hey @thisiscontact where did you hear? We just walked by the venue at Boston City Hall and theres no stage building activities. Definitely doesn’t look like a festival is due up tomorrow. Nobody replying to questions on this from the bands.
— Paul Heywood (@pauljheywood) August 31, 2018
Ok thank you. Very disappointed, travelled from Toronto today for the gig, had VIP tix. 2k out of pocket with travel & hotels & no email received on refunds/explanations. Young the Giant never had this on their web tour list, all very sketchy. Do I contact Frontgate Tix refunds?
— Paul Heywood (@pauljheywood) August 31, 2018
“This is BS,” ticketholder Cheryl Teves told the Herald. “I think it was a scam all along now. How can they cancel on everyone this is a holiday weekend the last weekend of the summer for the most part that people make plans (to) find babysitters. Angry Orchard has a lot of explaining to do they have a lot of Angry people that wanted to go enjoy (their) festival that they promoted very well.”
Another ticketholder, Conor Caldwell, said that he was suspicious that the show would be called off.
“I felt weird about it,” Caldwell said. “I could tell it was really underpromoted,” Caldwell told the Herald. “I texted my friend I had a bad feeling about this show.”
The ticket company Front Gate Tickets, blamed the producer, EVP INC, for the decision to call off the show.
“After much deliberation, and with great sadness, they had no choice but to reach this difficult decision due to several unforeseen circumstances beyond their control,” the email read. “As a result, they did not feel that we would be able to provide the level of experience you expect and deserve.”
The Rock the Roots festival in Walden, New York on September 8 and 9 has also been cancelled. This was the last show on the Rock the Roots Music Tour.
