One Reel Inks AEG Deal

Producers of Seattle’s Bumbershoot recently announced a five-year alliance with AEG Live that will lend talent buying and sponsorship support to the arts and music festival.

One Reel, the non-profit arts and events organization that produces Bumbershoot, will continue to operate and retain artistic control of the festival, while the AEG deal will provide a wider range of headliner opportunities for the event. AEG will also take on the festival’s underwriting.

Bumbershoot Artistic Director of Programming Michele Scoleri explained that the collaboration will link Bumbershoot with AEG’s Coachella and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and alleviate some of the festival’s booking costs.

"Forging a plan to keep Bumbershoot music booking competitive in an increasingly expensive marketplace for headline talent is an exciting and necessary step for the festival," Scoleri said in a statement. "We are pleased to be taking these steps with an industry leader like AEG and look forward to collaborating with Coachella and Jazzfest, two artistically distinct festivals for which we have a tremendous amount of respect."

And although One Reel is a non-profit organization, the group explained that the collaboration with for-profit AEG won’t affect the historical and artistic integrity of Bumbershoot, now in its 37th year.

"AEG has an outstanding reputation working with non-profits," Bumbershoot Producer Heather Smith said. "They have demonstrated their commitment to understanding each organization’s mission while helping to build upon successful events."

The Bumbershoot Festival is set for Labor Day weekend, September 1-3 at Seattle Center. Lineup and ticketing information are forthcoming.