Producers of the Soundside Music Festival thought they could make a killing booking The Killers, and others, to lead the fourth year of the two-day event at Seaside Park. Ticket sales only halved the 20,000 fans projected for each day, so C3 Presents has canceled the shows declaring “circumstances beyond our control” always the throw out line when event sales die the gooey death.
Circumstances were very much in their control.
The Killers, Hozier and Weezer are popular acts within specific age markets but not A-Listers to carry a festival such as those booked the past few years Stevie Nicks, Dave Matthews, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bridgeport-born John Mayer.
When organizers announced the talent a few months ago it was both a record and head scratcher. C3 had completely cut out key ticket-buying festival markets such as Baby Boomers and Gen X that were included in prior years.
The Killers, Hozier and Weezer? To those of my music ilk it was “eh.” Maybe they rolled them out as secondary teaser acts for a particular genre. A monster name is coming perhaps? Nope.
Okay, nothing here for us.
The festival was a money maker for the city, roughly $500,000 each year into the municipal coffers, plus all the festival-related expenses covered by the producers.
Last year included a management shift from the initial producers. The name went from Sound On Sound to Soundside.
Sounds like the current producers booked less expensive acts anticipating the same revenue flow.
From the Soundside website:
“Due to circumstances beyond our control, Soundside Music Festival has been cancelled. Tickets will be refunded to the original method of payment in as little as 30 days depending on your bank’s processing time.”
Email statement: “We are deeply grateful to the City of Bridgeport, Mayor Ganim, our local partners, and all the fans for their support of the festival over the years. “While we’re disappointed to have canceled this year’s show, we remain proud of the incredible musical moments we shared together in Seaside Park and the opportunity to call Bridgeport home.”
TOOK ONLY 4 YEARS TO SCREW THIS UP……UNBLIEVABLE…….SAD DAY FOR THE PORT
Black Rock PorchFest 2025 will be held on Saturday, August 23rd, from 1 PM to 8 PM. The event will feature live music performances on porches, stoops, and verandas throughout the Black Rock neighborhood in Bridgeport, CT. This year marks the 9th iteration of the festival, according to blackrockct.com.
“The Killers, Hozier and Weezer are popular acts…”
Try Porchfest.
No big headline act,getting to venue is a chore( parking etc),the fiasco last year with Foo Fighters canceling last min and the promoters not offering refunds,instead scrambling to fill the slot.. this all adds up to people not wanting to buy tickets this year… It’s Bridgeport,everything ends up disappointing.
What is the overall appeal of driving any distance to attend an hours-long, outside event consisting of mediocre performers in a post-industrial city with minimal dining and hospitality opportunities? — Especially a city that is now more famous for crime and corruption than anything else… “Hey; lets drive from Boston to Bridgeport to see The Killers (…or, the killers).” “No thanks; let’s stay safe and comfortable at home and watch the game.”
And so it goes with Bridgeport in 2025…
you know, friends of mine who grew up in BPT. and now live in florida, were just there to visit.. When I asked how was your time at the Port , the first thing out of their mouth was what a dump and cant wait to get out. HOW SAD !
Entertainment sponsors who abandon the opportunity for Sound on the Sound, Summer 2025, before there is an accounting for 2024 available to citizens and taxpayers, and place the City at budgetary risk of loss of $500,000 or less from ticket sales recorded as park fees in the City budget, are not likely to trumpet any mandate for the future as indicated by sponsored entertainment talent or advance ticket sales.
When the City signs a ten year land use obligation and records the revenue in a rent line item, although it may be thought by one or more parties as a share of ticket revenue, without a guarantee to the City taxpayer, why continue such an agreement. The contract perhaps did not meet the requirements of “deep pocket” investors? But a charitable contribution of $50,000 to whom, how, where, and why was part of the deal, too?
Who has deep enough cash reserves to be a producer in the City? To whom do we look for to find information and full answers to questionable longer term decisions? For instance, another article on OIB recently talked about the fines sent from the City at drivers passing school buses, currently. But where were the financial details reported? What does the time line show for how folks are handling the fines? Paying the $250 fee? Fighting the fee?(What is the process? In which Department?) Or ignoring, and what is the follow-up process? Perhaps there will be surplus revenues from this Line Item to balance the loss of Sounds on Sound revenues. Time will tell.