More Shed, Less Street Scene

First to go was the street. And a recent announcement by the co-organizers of an annual San Diego festival has left some ticketholders wondering if the atmosphere’s next to go when San Diego Street Scene hits the Coors Amphitheatre in Chula Vista September 22-23.

Live Nation, which co-organizes the event with festival founder Rob Hagey, said in a statement August 3rd that Street Scene was due for the change of venue, which would provide an intimate setting that "ensures continued vitality" and "future growth for Scene."

The festival with downtown roots rocked the city’s Gas Lamp Quarter for more than 20 years until organizers decided the scene had outgrown the streets of San Diego. The event was moved to the parking lot of Qualcomm Stadium in 2005 and faced declining attendance thereafter.

As late as June, Street Scene organizers were in talks with the board of directors at the Del Mar Fairgrounds to host Street Scene 2007.

Live Nation Southern California President Nick Masters previously told Pollstar the fairgrounds would serve as a more permanent location for the festival and provide the necessary infrastructure and parking for such an event.

But after the fair board gave Street Scene the OK, discussions for the festival reportedly stalled on the contract negotiations and organizers kept on searching for a site.

Higher production costs at the fairgrounds and low ticket sales could have prompted the festival’s move, according to the Union-Tribune.

Live Nation acquired the 19,442-capacity Coors Amphitheatre last year and explained in the statement that the festival would stay true to its roots at the new location.

"Festivalgoers will still get the full Street Scene experience, complete with eclectic attractions, arts and crafts booths plus wide varieties of food and drink that fans can purchase and consume throughout the grounds," the statement said.

Street Scene’s multiple-stage layout and lineup also remain unchanged. Artists on the books include The Killers, Muse, Social Distortion, and Panic! At The Disco, among others. Tickets purchased for the Del Mar Fairgrounds location will be honored and refunds are available at point of purchase.