Rothbury Festival promoter AEG Live, which co-produced the new music and camping festival last year in Rothbury, MI with Madison House Presents, was given the green light for a second year at the Double JJ Resort, which has since filed for bankruptcy. Last year’s event drew an estimated 40,000 people.
On January 5, a bankruptcy court judge approved a lease between the bankruptcy trustee Thomas Bruinsma and the promoter. However, it is not a done deal yet. A bankruptcy court hearing is scheduled for January 8 to test the validity of the lease.
According to the Herald-Journal, the lease includes the airport area used for camping last year, the rodeo arena and the original ranch area on South Water Road. It does not include any use of buildings, the liquor license or lodging facilities; those have to be negotiated separately. AEG Live will pay $285,000 to the Double JJ estate for the lease which runs from February 1 to August 31. Bruinsma or a designee will oversee AEG Live operations.
Last year’s line-up featured Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, John Mayer, 311, Phil Lesh and Friends, Trey Anastasio (including a mini-reunion of Phish) and Primus.
