Nateva vs. Live Nation, part 2

[mattinthehat]

First of all, I would like to thank Frank for his, well...frankness with regard to his association with Live Nation. That being said, I believe we have a potentially serious problem with this "partnership".
Frank has assured us that the relationship with Live Nation is strictly a booking arrangement, and I have absolutely no problem with that. In fact, I think it is essentially a waste of time to boycott this organization, because the 600 pound gorilla is already in the room. Good luck getting the corrupt ba#$%^ds in Congress to do anything about this monopolistic situation.
The problem is clearly in the details. The plan, as presented by Nateva LLC., is for Nateva to be an ongoing major outdoor camping festival for many years to come. That is great, and I am all for it. Actually thrilled about it. However, we have been presented with details, which are fully documented, of a plan by Live Nation to build a 20,000 seat amphitheater in Oxford, on the site of the fairgrounds. The same location as the Festival. As someone who has lived in Maine most of my life, and someone who has been to Oxford for races many times, that fairground area cannot possibly support a 15,000 person festival, with camping, AND a 20,000 seat amphitheater with mandated parking, facilities, etc.
So, unfortunately, as someone who has been involved in politics for most of my life, on both sides, I have come to the inescapable conclusion that there is a "rat in the kitchen"(Bonus points for anyone who catches that musical reference.) One, or both of the parties involved in these projects is full of you know what. Either Nateva LLC. is using Live Nation to BS the town of Oxford into accepting the festival concept, with promises to build the amphitheater, or Live Nation is using Frank and Nateva LLC. as a foot in the door to get what they really want, which is the concert venue. OR BOTH.
As I said I smell at least one rat here, and more than likely many.
You make the call.

[crixtala]

I guess I'm just not understanding the problem... but I thought it seemed like a majority of the local people to this festival were happy about it coming because they're tired of traveling long distances just to see shows. So, I would think that they'd be welcoming of a new venue nearby.

Soooo... my thought process would then make me think that IF it took one to get the other (Live Nation's new venue = Nateva, or vice versa), that's still a positive... even if so many people have a problem with Live Nation itself.

I'm not really following the concerns with space either... its not like all of these plans aren't going to be approved for safety purposes, size limitations, expansion, etc./whatever. I can't imagine something detrimental to the area being built. Just doesn't make sense.

[itrainmonkeys]

Matt asked that this thread be re-opened with the intent of discussing the future plans of an amphitheatre in the area that the festival will be held. Anyone who wishes to discuss/read about the rumors that circulated recently (and Nateva's response) can check out the first thread by clicking here

Here is his last post he asked to be put in here:

You guys are missing my point completely. As I clearly said in my post, I do not care about Live Nation and their monopoly. That issue is for Congress, the courts, and the bureaucrats to decide. I started a new thread for a reason, which should have been obvious if you gave my post a little thought.
My point was that you cannot have a 20,000 seat amphitheater, and all of it's associated space requirements, IN THE SAME SPACE as a 15,000 person festival, with camping, rv's, stage, vendor areas etc. It can't happen, unless Nateva, going forward, has the Festival on the grounds, and IN the amphitheater. That means camping in the parking areas, and the music being held IN the amphitheater. The Festival cannot continue in it's current form on those fairgrounds after the Live Nation venue is built. There is not enough room. So, to reiterate what I said in the thread that was hijacked and lumped into this probably dead thread is: either Live Nation is going to ultimately move Nateva out, or... Frank is working with Live Nation and Nateva is a 2 year deal, or Nateva will be held at the amphitheater in the future. If the latter takes place, then the open-air nature oriented Festival will essentially be held on asphalt and concrete.

Sorry for the confusion. Have a good time. 70 days til Nateva!

[itrainmonkeys]

Reopened after request by OP. Please keep the discussion separate from the other thread. Thanks

[mattinthehat]

I would like to send a big thank you to itrainmonkeys for recognizing that my topic was not about bashing Live Nation. I was quite harsh in my criticism, and probably too harsh. As you can tell, I am pretty passionate and concerned about this topic.
Let's hope that this festival is a tremendous success. It's future is in our hands, I hope.

[crixtala]

Quoted from the other thread...

Apr 20, 2010 23:59:27 GMT -5 Dexxy said:

Matt, IF the amphitheater were to be built, it would be an expansion off of the current fairgrounds. It wouldnt be something that would entail tearing the fairgrounds down and replacing it with another venue.

This is what I was trying to get at with my post. I couldn't imagine that even Live Nation would try to tear down a part of the fairgrounds to add their own amphitheater. It would have to be some sort of extension.

The only problem I could then see is that it would take away a bit of the camping area. I'm pretty sure I read in one of the official Nateva posts on here that they've rented out or are using the surrounding areas for camping... so at worst, I'd imagine that there would be a small impact on the amount of camping space? So using more of the surrounding land could be a possible solution for that problem, couldn't it? From everything I've read... we're going to be out in the middle of nowhere anyway.

Would they need to add parking for a new amphitheater that's attached to the fairgrounds? I'm obviously not a Mainer, so I'm not familiar with the fairgrounds, but I'd imagine that there's already some form of parking in place. Could this not double for the amphitheater?


Anywho... like I said, I'm not local like most of y'all are... but I definitely don't want to see one be the downfall of the other, because it seems like you guys up there could really use both to get some good music up north.

[Nizzy]

Yeah there's not a lot in Western Maine. What is there is mostly centered around the lakes. I'm from up North so I didn't even really know where Oxford was till I looked it up - pretty well into the woods (pretty much as far in as you can get and still be in striking distance of Portland for the bands flying in).

So yeah - plenty of land out there, probably going pretty cheap right now.

[mainiac]

I fail to see the 'gotcha' in that confusing stream of thoughts, but just the same...

[huck]

No...I think Live Nation is interested in seeing if a bunch of people will truck up to Oxford, Maine. I don't think that means anyone is in cahoots, though. I think LN could be intrigued by the little engine that could aka Nateva. Enough to even help them (first round of booking) and then see what happens. See...look! Central Maine CAN have a venue. And then use Nateva's success to help fuel their project....LN surely figures they will crush Nateva when the time comes.

Anyone who wants to have a festival in Maine is cool with me.
LN is smoking crack to think Oxford Maine will support a 20,000 venue. LN would love to move north (their venue holdings are southern for the most part) - but unless they want to fill it with NASCAR/Wrestling/Monsters of Rock/Mega-Country I don't know what will fill it.

I personally refrain from conspiracy theory and deep suspicion until I get there to see What It Is. At this point, Nateva is a freakin kickass festival in Maine....VIVA VIVA VIVA

[Dexxy]

No amphitheater