Unhappy End To Shakedown

The annual Shakedown Campout & Music Festival, scheduled for August 26-28, got canceled at the last second. What the heck happened is in dispute.

The agent for Galactic learned about the cancellation three hours before the gates were to open, with the band in flight to the Columbia Meadows campsite near Saint Helens, Ore. The promoter had pulled up stakes and had left the area. According to venue owner Lowell MacGregor, the promoter – Hal Abramson – left without returning deposits to the vendors.

Abramson was unable to come up with the money for the rental agreement, MacGregor told Pollstar, nor had the additional funds required to cover anticipated expenses. It came down to door receipts, which Abramson hoped would cover what was due, MacGregor said, and he found that an “untenable position.” The promoter eventually canceled the show.

Abramson could not be reached for comment but, according to those who spoke with him recently, his story varies drastically from MacGregor’s, and he blames the venue owner for the aborted event.

The Shakedown was to feature DJ Logic, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Keller Williams, STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9), The Big Wu, and Medeski Martin & Wood, among approximately 30 other acts.

The festival was originally scheduled at Horning’s Hideout in North Plains, Ore. Neighbors complained about three festivals that were to take place there, including The String Cheese Incident‘s annual gathering and the Northwest Reggae Festival. SCI’s event went on as scheduled, but the other two sought different locales.