When Live Nation purchased most of the assets of West Palm Beach, FL’s Fantasma Productions after the untimely death of its founder/owner Jon Stoll in March 2008, it secured, among other assets, the five-day SunFest in West Palm Beach. However, it did not sign up its key executives, who joined AEG Live and set up a Florida office.
So it is no surprise that AEG Live secured a new contract with the festival and will book talent and handle technical production for SunFest 2009, Florida’s largest waterfront music and art festival that will take place April 29 through May 3 in downtown West Palm Beach; SunFest issued an RFP, to which Live Nation declined to respond.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of the excitement of SunFest once again,” said Jon Valentino, senior vice president of the Florida office, in a statement. “The waterfront of downtown West Palm Beach is one of the most beautiful festival sites in the country. SunFest has been an innovator in the festival world for decades and has continually raised the bar to create the ideal artist and fan experience.”
Fergie, Sheryl Crow, the Black Crowes, John Legend, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones were some of the headliners of SunFest 2008, which attracted over 280,000 patrons. Last year, SunFest also introduced New Music Night, where local music fans voted for the up-and-coming bands they wanted to see.
AEG Live currently books and promotes festivals across the country, including Coachella and Stagecoach in California, All Points West in New York, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Bumbershoot in Seattle, Mile High Music Festival in Denver and Rothbury Festival in Michigan.
