Superfly Declares 2019 Hiatus For Denver Festival Grandoozy

– Grandoozy

After claiming a total attendance of more than 55,000 for its first year, Denver’s Grandoozy Festival will not be returning for 2019.

The news came via a statement from organizers Jan. 11, stating: “We feel a special connection to Denver and its people and intend to use this hiatus as an opportunity to create a festival that is even more unique, sustainable, and integrated into the region’s local and creative community. We’re proud of the world-class festival we delivered for a world-class city and are truly humbled by the praise and support Grandoozy received in its inaugural year from fans, artists, vendors and the city of Denver.”

The event was put on by Superfly at Overland Park Golf Course Sept. 14-16, 2018, and featured Kendrick Lamar, Florence + The Machine, and Stevie Wonder. 

“It exceeded expectations, it was a fantastic weekend, our ops, creative, production and booking teams all nailed it,” an ebullient David Ehrlich, the festival’s Denver-based executive producer, who worked closely with festival promoter Superfly over the past four years along with AEG in getting the festival off the ground, told Pollstar the day after Grandoozy concluded.

The event was Denver’s first major festival since Mile High Music Festival wrapped up in 2010, though a satellite version of Riot Fest ran there from 2013-16. 

In addition to music the event featured panel discussions on the outdoors and business of the outdoors, and food offerings that reflected Denver’s diverse and high-quality offerings. 

A notable challenge, though, was transportation, as there was no on-site parking, so chaos and confusion abounded with ride-sharing the first night, prompting organizers to open a second ride-share area the second night. The festival also took place during record-high temperatures in Denver. 

Superfly also promotes Bonnaroo and co-promotes Outside Lands, but called it quits on Phoenix’s Lost Lake festival in 2018. 

Another festival debuting in 2018 that announced wouldn’t happen in 2019 is InCuya festival in Cleveland, a collaboration between AEG Presents and the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.

Superfly’s Jennifer Justice spoke to Pollstar several months back about bringing the promoter to another level, saying she was excited about Clusterfest, the San Francisco comedy fest that she feels could tour in different markets.