Here’s an update on what’s going on with some upcoming music festivals. Some big announcements were made last week relating to Langerado, Harvest of Hope Fest and Bonnaroo.

• Langerado –

This festival has officially been canceled due to poor ticket sales. Thankfully, all ticket purchases will be refunded. According to a post on the festival’s website last week,

“Langerado's independent local promoters, faced with a very tough decision in a dismal economy, canceled the 2009 event only after every possible option was exhausted. Langerado has always put the fan experience first. Unfortunately, during these difficult economic times, and facing a first year in a new venue, it's become apparent that we cannot execute a production that lives up to the high standards of our past events. Putting Langerado on hold was the toughest decision we have ever had to make. We are very grateful for the support of the greater-Miami community and the music community during this difficult time."

That post has since been removed from the Langerado website, but was also posted on the Vinyl Collective message board. I wasn’t really surprised by this announcement. I’ve heard many people griping about the festival’s venue change and lack of big-name headliners. Relocating the festival from the everglades (where camping was enforced) to downtown Miami (where camping is probably illegal) seems to have been a really shitty plan. With a festival like Langerado camping just makes more sense. After a full day of drunken debauchery I'd much rather crawl back to a nearby campsite than take an expensive cab back to a dingy motel. Plus, less cab fare logically equals more PBR consumption. Here's to hoping that the minds behind Langerado get their acts together before 2010 rolls around.

• Harvest of Hope Fest –

So what does the Langerado cancellation mean for people attending HOH? According to a post on the HOH message board,

“it's been crazy trying to figure out to the extent that Langerado canceling had on us. We still haven't figured out everything quite yet...but hopefully by this weekend we will have it all worked out and do our best to re-do the schedule and have this up ASAP. I also want to say that across the board ALL the bands have been really amazing and supportive of HOH and doing their best to help us out. Unfortunately HOH Fest doesn't have the corporate support or money to be able to pay what many of these bands deserve. All the bands are doing their best to find other shows to make up for Langerado and to make up the financial lose as well. It's tough times out there for everyone and we totally understand this.”

Many bands signed up to play both of these festivals since they were both scheduled for the first weekend in March. Two of those bands (The Faint, Ra Ra Riot) have officially cancelled their HOH appearances. On the bright side, The Gaslight Anthem and Black Kids have jumped onto the HOH bandwagon. This works out great for me since TGA were the band I was most bummed about missing when I decided on HOH over Langerado. According to that same message board post, HOH will continue trying to poach some of the other leftover Langerado bands. Unfortunately those will not be including Modest Mouse, Flogging Molly or Death Cab for Cutie. Bummer.

• Bonnaroo –

The official Bonnaroo lineup has been announced, and it kicks ten different kinds of ass. Highlights for me include:

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Phish, Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, Wilco, Al Green, Snoop Dogg, Elvis Costello, Erykah Badu, Paul Oakenfold, Ben Harper and Relentless 7, The Mars Volta, TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gov’t Mule, Andrew Bird, Band of Horses, MGMT, The Decemberists, Girl Talk, Bon Iver, Of Montreal, Coheed and Cambria, Animal Collective, Neko Case, Jenny Lewis, Okkervil River, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, and Potugal. The Man.

Holy shit. I’ve never been to this Tennessee camping-fest, but I’ve heard nothing but good things. Unfortunately, the tickets are a little pricey ($249.50 plus a few extra handling and bullshit fees). That means I’ll most likely have to choose between Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza for my summer festival. Here’s to hoping the Lolla lineup gets released soon so I can start planning my summer vacation!