Kanrocksas: Back for the long-haul

After a one-year hiatus, organizers of the Kanrocksas Music Festival have announced that the festival will return to Kansas Speedway in 2013.

Bill Brandmeyer, who co-founded the festival in 2011, said the second Kanrocksas Festival will be June 28 and 29. An early bird ticket special starts Sept. 21. A two-day pass will be $125, including two days of free camping, with no extra fees. That is a $115 discount off the full price. A three-month installment play will also be available, with fees. Tickets can be bought at kanrocksas.com.

The inaugural Kanrocksas was in August 2011. It drew nearly 50,000 people over two days. Headliners were Eminem and Muse. Other acts included the Flaming Lips, Weezer, Primus, A Perfect Circle, the Black Keys, Girl Talk, Kid Cudi and Flogging Molly.

Organizers suspended the festival this year, primarily because of renovations to the speedway infield but also because they decided to take extra time to reorganize the event, which suffered financially in its first year.

“We did not achieve the ticket sales we hoped for,” Brandmeyer said.

“Our failure to reach the ticket sales we wanted and our decision to overpay Eminem put a heavy burden upon the business. We considered doing it elsewhere, even at Sandstone (now Cricket Wireless Amphitheater), but the risks were high. We were very averse to detracting from the experience we’d provided the first year inside the speedway. We’d built a lot of fan loyalty and brand equity, and we wanted to preserve and nurture that. So we gave ourself a longer runway and decided we’d take 18 months to organize next year’s festival.”

The festival has reorganized its operations, Brandmeyer said. It has parted ways with promoter Chris Fritz. It is now working with Evenergy, a Kansas City company that produces events and develops sponsorships. It will continue to work with Josh Hunt and Mammoth Productions, the music promoter that helped bring much of the lineup to the first Kanrocksas.

The dates were moved from August to late June for a few reasons, he said.

“It’s two weekends after Bonnaroo,” Brandmeyer said of the music festival in rural Tennessee, which announced its 2013 dates on Tuesday. “It’s also the weekend after the Firefly Festival at the Dover (Del.) Speedway and a week before July 4. And hopefully it will be cooler.”

It was over 100 degrees at the inaugural Kanrocksas.

Announcements about the lineup are expected to begin in late winter and early spring.

Brandmeyer said his investors and the speedway are in this for the long haul.

“We’ve set our sights long term and are committed to going after the top-tier talent,” he said. “We’re prepared to maybe lose money next year, break even in year three and have success in year four and five. My investors have agreed to do it because they think this generation of music lovers deserve to have this kind of world-class festival in Kansas City. It makes it more attractive and a better place to live.”

| Timothy Finn, The Star

Comments

[pellboy]

"An early bird ticket special starts Sept. 21. A two-day pass will be $125, including two days of free camping, with no extra fees. That is a $115 discount off the full price."

So if my math is right, $240 will be the full price? Holy shit!

"Announcements about the lineup are expected to begin in late winter and early spring."

So they want $125 before ANY acts are announced? I guess that early $ will help with financing this thing, but damn, that's asking alot from perspective fans, especially on the heels of only one past event w/ mixed results and a following year hiatus.

[Bob Asher]

Great news!

[onthemark]

Anyone recall what ticket prices were for the last show? I ask because if they drew 50,000 and lost money then they must have REALLY overpaid Eminem!

I could not help but notice the press release contained about every bit of 'corporate gobbledygook' as they could cram in. Not to mention their long term plan sounds suspiciously like Carl Peterson's 5 year plan for the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl. And we all know how well that worked out...

[wadkc]

Eminem reportedly (semi-reliable source) received 1 million large for showing up. Glad he did or he would not have come based on only 2 live shows last year. (note to self, start rapping and move to St. Joe)

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of Kanrocksas and hope it continues. Though I didn't pay last time, I'm willing to shell out the money this time based on good time I had. I didn't see any info on VIP tickets but I'm almost afraid to ask.

[pellboy]

That's just it, otm, I thought that tickets were $100 and change last time, but I could be wrong on that. It just seems they better really nail the lineup this year on a Bonneroo-like level at that price which I think is actually higher than Bonneroo and again, I could be wrong.

[mankvill]

$240 for a two-day festival? This isn't Bonnaroo or Lollapalooza. I gotta see a lineup, first.

[TeeJayMO]

The full $240 price includes the eventual $50 for 2-day camping. The full-price of a 2-day ticket will be $190. Since the early bird tickets will be $125 with FREE camping, the total potential savings is $115.

[jaimoe]

Get a big name jamband in there like Widespread Panic or Phish and they will have no problem with making money.

[TeeJayMO]

2-day tickets in 2011 were $179.

[BrainOfJHA]

Getting pearl jam. Strong fan following and it seems like they only play festivals as of late...

[pellboy]

Thanks, TJ, but even at $125, I have to know some acts. Hopefully, this "early bird" special will last awhile and is not a situation where folks have to purchase totally on spec.

[BrainOfJHA]

Also, weezer was not at kanrocksas last year...

[Joe]

I can't believe they're still calling it Kanrockass.

[Larry]

Rumors are they are getting The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin to headline the fest, in support of their respective upcoming releases. Rolling Stones 50th anniversary and Le Zep's "Celebration day" the movie of the reunion concert in London (in theaters in October, on shelves in Nov and live shows next year)

[Steve J]

If they (rumored) paid a mil to Eminem, they could get the Stones or Zep for that.

[Buncha Baloney]

The Stones or any version of Led Zep wouldn't dream of playing a festival like Kanrocksas (whoever came up with this fest's name deserves jail time). These bands could still fill arenas or even stadiums by themselves. No, Kanrocksas will likely be headlined by some fake Electronic artist or DJ (that the kiddies are impressed by these scam 'artists' these days is saddening), and will include a handful of "buzz" bands, who wouldn't know Alternative music if it knocked over their amps (or their laptops). Surely our friend Larry is having a bit of fun with us here. Nice try, though.

[wadkc]

Chris Fritz says he came up with the name over a bottle of wine. He's no longer involved with the event.

[George]

Man... seeing The Stones and Led Zep on back to back nights would be awesome!!! I would even camp for that.

[913KCKKID]

Bill Brandmeyer funded Chris Fritz' retirement. Another trust fund baby like a former tres cool Star columnist with more money than brains.

[MadMike]

So lets put the festival the same weekend as the same time of amother KS successful festival, Country Stampede in Manhattan , KS. I know some think it will be a different crowd but there are a lot of people who listen to rock &roll and country. Jason Aldean is aready at Stampede. I seriously doubt we will get the Stones.

[will]

There are no rumors that they are getting Rolling Stones and Led Zepp. They couldn't afford to do so and the fans couldn't afford the ticket price. Stones are getting paid 25 million to do 4 shows.

[Dave]

Throwing money at a big headliner isn't enough. They have to grow that festival my making it fan-friendly and affordable. Hopefully they are thinking of it as something this area can be proud of. I love going to see live music and I will spend money to do it but I am freaking 42 and I am too old to roast out on a hot speedway for two days, unless the event itself is well organized and fan friendly and has a wide variety of bands. Just look at how many people knock Crossroads. There's great bands there every week, but many won't go because of the porta-potties. I realize those festivals cost huge amounts of money to put on, I would advise them to not throw a ton of money at a couple headliners, but rather start modestly and invest a lot of ideas in how to make it a unique event. I am toying with the idea of driving all the way to Bonnaroo this year, not because I know who the bands will be, but because I have faith that it will be a cool experience. I don't have any confidence in "Kanrocksas" yet but hopefully they build that festival the right way so it will be an event we fall in love with.

[syrinx]

First we have to get by QE3, the inevitable crash of the Dollar and petorDollars, then we have to get by 122112, so lest do that first, and if the world is not too overwelmingly in shambles, then we will see.

[Dean Smith]

The new rumor is that PSY (Park Jae-Sang) will headline 2 nights in a row and everyone has to do the invisible horsey ride (gangnam style)(unless the newer version, doggy style hits big) or GTFO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0

[K]

Hey Dean... I'll be there at the PSY showz wearing my hammer-pants/shorts combo!
Or my So-Fine Jeans.
The aforementioned video has over 180,000,0000 views IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS.
Shall we all say "WTF" together?

[Randy]

yes, lets.

WWWWW TTTTTT FFFFFF ! ! ! together.

[Jack]

This is for Dave, as someone who loves live music and just hit 48 this year, I encourage you to go to Bonnaroo. If you don't have the time of your live there I would be suprised. This year was my 2nd time there with my teenage boys and its the festival for live music. always something for everyone, and just a great vibe. Hope to see you there !!

[s]

Nineinchnails

[John Law]

Jack, are you a Catholic priest? How about a Penn state alum? Just sayin you might want to clarify your remarks about you being 48 being there with teenage boys.

It is a new world. Dont be offended, but there might be a knock on your door soon and they will want to have a look at your computers.

[Vandelay]

He said he was there with "his" teenage boys, dumbass. His kids. I know I shouldn't feed trolls, but good grief.

[Bart]

Just to be safe the proper way to say it, in this day and age, would be "My teenage sons".

[NEW]

Thanks for that unsolicited look into where your head is at, DT!

[Bart]

If you want to ignore possible issues like this, then that is on you Penn state/Bishop Robert W. Finn... errr I mean... then that is on you NEW.

[Bart]

Not to mention...
that not wanting to risk hearing comments like NEW's might have been one of the reason Joe Paterno did not do/say more.

[NEW]

As a father who takes his teenage boy to shows all the time, I guess I just didn't read into Jack's coment in a deviant way, DT. I just interpretted them as intended, not as some admission of pedophilia. That's all.

[Bart]

Neither did the people in charge at Penn state or local Ctholic churhces. It was all very innocent, nothing to see here, nothing to see, move along, nothing to see.

[DT's doctor]

DT, ahem, "Bart," is off his Meds...AGAIN.

[Fred]

These are the exact type of comments which probably caused Joe Paterno to not push further back in 1998.

So sad that you all are saying it is wrong to ask questions,
otherwise the one asking the questions will be indicted and/or ridiculed.

[NEW]

DT, are you seriously comparing Jack and myself to pedophiles because we refer to our teenage sons as our boys (which they are) and we enjoy taking them to shows? I sure hope not.

[Fred]

reread the thread, you will find your answer. A question was asked, and people flew off the handle.

[Dave]

Thanks, Jack, I appreciate the feedback on Bonnaroo. I have an 11 year old son who loves music and I am toying with taking him with me. I guess my pet peeve with festivals is that I am older now and want to be treated like a decent human being. I don't want to stand in piss-soaked mud and pay $10 for a bottle of water. I will do things like wait for hours in line to be on the front rail for Wilco (which I did Sunday night in Columbia) and I will save up money to watch live music (the greatest thing in the world) but I don't want a festival to cut corners and make me feel like I am in an internment camp.

[Fred]

Great points Dave and very cool that you are having rocking fun with your son.

[onthemark]

Dave, tell us about the Wilco show!

[Dave]

I've seen Wilco around 15 times I think, from their first tour until now. It's a band I sort of feel like I've grown up with. In the past year, I've driven to see them at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, saw them at the Uptown, and now in Columbia. Each of the set lists were considerably different, but they really were trying to "sell" their new material. And the new songs sound really good live, they inject an energy on stage that doesn't always come through on the CD. Several of the band members were walking around before the show and talking with fans, and both Pat and John were watching part of Jonathan Richman's set from the sidewalk. The Columbia show was great and Jeff Tweedy said it was the most "homecoming-iest" of all the "homecoming" shows they've done (St. Louis, Chicago). He talked a lot about Richard King, the owner of the Blue Note, and how he appreciated how the Blue Note and Columbia supported him through Uncle Tupelo and the early years of Wilco. They did a new arrangement of the songs Spiders that was basically acoustic and I liked it a lot. Also a few older songs like Passenger Side and Boxful of Letters and Casino Queen. It was a blast!

[onthemark]

Thanks Dave. Talked to a buddy of mine last night who was at the show, he said their setlist was a bit different from their show at the Uptown. He also said it was a kick ass performance which is very similar to that Uptown show!

[Quinto]

I believe there is a law on the Missouri books (pending in Kansas) that outlaws using the term "kick ass" when describing Wilco. "A good time", "fun was had", "the perfect mellow fest", "we enjoyed ourselves" are all legal, but you are breaking the law when you use "kick ass" to describe Wilco.

[Alfred]

Yes, it is true about that law.

It goes back to the "truth in advertising" wars ( they were actually more like debates) of the mid 1990s. It seems there were just too many people filing complaints and something had to be done.

[Oh, brother]

Quinto/DT's comment??

.....Oh, brother.

[Concert Tickets Hub]

I could not help but notice the press release contained about every bit of 'corporate gobbledygook' as they could cram in.

Read more here: http://backtorockville.typepad.com/back_to_rockville/2012/09/kanrocksas-back-for-the-long-haul.html#comments#storylink=cpy

[Quinto]

Oh brother, go back to where ever you were, when we wondered where art thou?