Okcfest 2014

[coov23]

Having more than 15 million people live within 100 miles of Dover might have a little to do with it.

Dover isn't really that easy to get to. From DC or Baltimore you'd have to take a bunch of back roads to make it less than 100 miles. Most would go up the 95 toll road. That'd make it, at least, a 2 hr drive. Wilmington and Philly are fairly easy to get from. Since you'd go down Highway 1 directly from 95.

Okc can pull from Dallas, Tulsa,Wichita and NW Arkansas fairly easy. That's got to be above 10 million within a 2-2.5hr drive.

[adaniel]

Dover isn't really that easy to get to. From DC or Baltimore you'd have to take a bunch of back roads to make it less than 100 miles. Most would go up the 95 toll road. That'd make it, at least, a 2 hr drive. Wilmington and Philly are fairly easy to get from. Since you'd go down Highway 1 directly from 95.

Okc can pull from Dallas, Tulsa,Wichita and NW Arkansas fairly easy. That's got to be above 10 million within a 2-2.5hr drive.

I was actually in Philly two weekends ago and Firefly was covered extensively in the local media. They repeated how people "all over the northeast and Midatlantic came."

FWIW, Its 1:50 from DC, 1:40 to Baltimore, 1:30 from Philly, and just for kicks, 2:50 from Lower Manhattan. Obviously these are off peak times but doable on a weekend.

There is nowhere near 10 million people from OKC in a 2:30 drive. Unless you are a speed demon, you barely reach the northern reaches of DFW in that time frame.

[warreng88]

I was actually in Philly two weekends ago and Firefly was covered extensively in the local media. They repeated how people "all over the northeast and Midatlantic came."

FWIW, Its 1:50 from DC, 1:40 to Baltimore, 1:30 from Philly, and just for kicks, 2:50 from Lower Manhattan. Obviously these are off peak times but doable on a weekend.

There is nowhere near 10 million people from OKC in a 2:30 drive. Unless you are a speed demon, you barely reach the northern reaches of DFW in that time frame.

Exactly. What you have is basically the state of Oklahoma and Wichita. Joplin is over three hours away as is everything outside of Fort Smith, AR in Arkansas and Dallas. I will say if the festival is big enough and there are enough big named acts, people will drive from further away than that to come see it. I have friends from OKC and Tulsa who go to ACL every year and also drive up to Lollapalooza in chicago. That is just their thing. But again, with Austin, you have Dallas three hours away, Houston two and a half and San Antonio at just over an hour. Also, Austin is the self-proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World.

[Bullbear]

Exactly. What you have is basically the state of Oklahoma and Wichita. Joplin is over three hours away as is everything outside of Fort Smith, AR in Arkansas and Dallas. I will say if the festival is big enough and there are enough big named acts, people will drive from further away than that to come see it. I have friends from OKC and Tulsa who go to ACL every year and also drive up to Lollapalooza in chicago. That is just their thing. But again, with Austin, you have Dallas three hours away, Houston two and a half and San Antonio at just over an hour. Also, Austin is the self-proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World.

Think Gentlemen of the Road festival. it was attended from people from all over the united states.

[coov23]

I was actually in Philly two weekends ago and Firefly was covered extensively in the local media. They repeated how people "all over the northeast and Midatlantic came."

FWIW, Its 1:50 from DC, 1:40 to Baltimore, 1:30 from Philly, and just for kicks, 2:50 from Lower Manhattan. Obviously these are off peak times but doable on a weekend.

There is nowhere near 10 million people from OKC in a 2:30 drive. Unless you are a speed demon, you barely reach the northern reaches of DFW in that time frame.

Lived in the Philly metro for 4 years I'm well aware of how many people live in the area. Those that say Dallas is close to Austin are pretty contradictory. Okc metro is actually closer by 4 miles. Also, I've made it to Dallas in 2.5 hrs numerous times.

[Just the facts]

We just had Florida Country Music Fest here in Jax a few weeks ago. We had people from all over the country attend - I gave them a lot of Uber rides. Fifth Third Bank even moved some employee meetings here so their employees could attend (I know because I took a couple of Cincinnati-based Fifth Third employees to the concert).

Performers included:

Luke Bryan
Jason Aldean
Eric Church
Miranda Lambert
Florida Georgia Line
Little Big Town
Big & Rich
Easton Corbin
Colt Ford
Joe Nichols

See more at: Florida Country Superfest | | JaxEvents.comJaxEvents.com

[warreng88]

Lived in the Philly metro for 4 years I'm well aware of how many people live in the area. Those that say Dallas is close to Austin are pretty contradictory. Okc metro is actually closer by 4 miles. Also, I've made it to Dallas in 2.5 hrs numerous times.

I understand that Dallas is closer to OKC than it is to Austin, but it is also a mental block from the Texan stand point that they could come to OKC to see a show, but then they would be traveling to Oklahoma, where they could go to ACL and keep everything in Texas. Not sure if that makes sense or not. But again, if the lineup were right, it wouldn't really matter where it was, people would still come from all over. Like bullbear said, think Gentlemen of the Road tour... If we could get artists that are so frequently playing the festival circuit like Outkast, Foo Fighters, Beck, Lorde, Foster the People, Weezer, Arcade Fire and Artic Monkeys, it could end up being a great show. Not sure even Dallas would top that.

[Bullbear]

I understand that Dallas is closer to OKC than it is to Austin, but it is also a mental block from the Texan stand point that they could come to OKC to see a show, but then they would be traveling to Oklahoma, where they could go to ACL and keep everything in Texas. Not sure if that makes sense or not. But again, if the lineup were right, it wouldn't really matter where it was, people would still come from all over. Like bullbear said, think Gentlemen of the Road tour... If we could get artists that are so frequently playing the festival circuit like Outkast, Foo Fighters, Beck, Lorde, Foster the People, Weezer, Arcade Fire and Artic Monkeys, it could end up being a great show. Not sure even Dallas would top that.

OKC can definately pull a Dallas audience, but it will take a great lineup.

[bchris02]

OKC can definately pull a Dallas audience, but it will take a great lineup.

It could, but is there any promoter here that can make it happen? OKC takes a back seat (and a very far backseat at that) to Tulsa when it comes to getting big-name current acts. OKC is a long, long way from being able to pull such an event off in my opinion.

[OSUFan]

I ask this not knowing the answer. Does OKC fall behind getting big acts because of the availability of the arena? Maybe I just didn't pay attention but I never remember Tulsa being much more of a draw for the big concerts before the Thunder came. I imagine having the arena tied up as much as we do for the NBA hurts our ability at some concerts.

[Bullbear]

I ask this not knowing the answer. Does OKC fall behind getting big acts because of the availability of the arena? Maybe I just didn't pay attention but I never remember Tulsa being much more of a draw for the big concerts before the Thunder came. I imagine having the arena tied up as much as we do for the NBA hurts our ability at some concerts.

It does hurt the availability and SMG manages both facilities BOK and the Peake.. however we lack a good promoter as well to aggressively book acts as well in my opinion.

[warreng88]

It could, but is there any promoter here that can make it happen? OKC takes a back seat (and a very far backseat at that) to Tulsa when it comes to getting big-name current acts. OKC is a long, long way from being able to pull such an event off in my opinion.

Where specifically are you talking about?

The DT Airpark is pulling in a lot of big name tours like Rascal Flatts and Sheryl Crow, the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival with Avenged Sevenfold, Korn and many others, the Summer Nationals Tour with The Offspring, Bad religion and Pennywise, Chicago and REO Speedwagon, The Mystik Sanctuary Festival with Bassnectar and Krewella and Foster the people. None of those acts are playing Tulsa this year, at least that has been announced.

The Zoo Amphitheatre is hosting Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss, Fall out boy and Paramore, ZZ top and Jeff Beck, Panic! at the disco and the Rockstar energy drink uproar festival with Godsmack, Seether, Buckcherry and others.

The Peake is hosting Steely Dan, Michael Buble, James Taylor, Motley Crue and Alice Cooper, Five Finger Death punch and Volbeat and Justin timberlake.

The Diamond Ballroom is getting Machine Head, Blessthefall and Amon Amarth.

The Conservatory and the Chameleon Room are getting a bunch of acts I have never heard of. I think, over time, the Chevy BT Events Center will become our hybrid Cain's Ballroom/Brady Theatre.

I really hate the idea that Tulsa gets all the great big name current acts when we get different acts and do it well. Tulsa used to host Edgefest every year which all the current hard rock bands loved to play and now it has been replaced by Rocklahoma which feeds off of Rock on the Range, Rockfest, Carolina Rebellion, Welcome to Rockville and Fort Rock.

Rocklahoma had Five Finger Death Punch, Staind, Kid Rock, Twisted Sister, Deftones and Motorhead as the headliners.

Rock on the Range had GNR, Staind, Avenged Sevenfold, Kid Rock and Five Finger Death Punch as headliners.

Carolina rebellion had Avenged Sevenfold, Rob Zombie, Five finger Death Punch and Kid Rock as headliners.

Rockfest had Sammy Hagar, Five Finger Death Punch, Aerosmith and Rob Zombie as headliners.

Welcome to Rockville had Avenged Sevenfold, Five Finger Death punch, Korn and Rob Zombie as headliners.

Do you see a pattern here? A lot of the acts are playing the same set at a different festival that is set up by the same company.

[bchris02]

I ask this not knowing the answer. Does OKC fall behind getting big acts because of the availability of the arena? Maybe I just didn't pay attention but I never remember Tulsa being much more of a draw for the big concerts before the Thunder came. I imagine having the arena tied up as much as we do for the NBA hurts our ability at some concerts.

I think its because the same company manages both arenas. They take no issue with simply funneling most concerts into Tulsa because they know most OKC residents will drive there without thinking twice.

[Jeepnokc]

Nine of the Best Summer Music Festivals Around the World - SmarterTravel.com

Best summer festivals according to smartertravel.com Take it for what it is worth.

[adaniel]

I ask this not knowing the answer. Does OKC fall behind getting big acts because of the availability of the arena? Maybe I just didn't pay attention but I never remember Tulsa being much more of a draw for the big concerts before the Thunder came. I imagine having the arena tied up as much as we do for the NBA hurts our ability at some concerts.

In terms of bigger concerts, no. With that in mind concert bookings are bigger than just date availability. I stated this in a previous thread, but the Peake is much more profitable than the BOK because it has a major tenant. So if an act really isn't hellbent on performing in OKC, SMG will typically steer them to the BOK. I would argue that the peake holds its own even with the Thunder, just looking at their calender.

IMO the advantage comes in the smaller venues. Cains, Brady Theatre, etc. They have more established promoters, compared to say the Diamond Ballroom. Tulsa also has 3 pretty big casinos in their city limits alone while OKC has zero. One advantage with them is they can thow cash at possible acts. FWIW I am completely opposed to casinos within OKC, but with that we do not have that ability.

[Just the facts]

I ask this not knowing the answer. Does OKC fall behind getting big acts because of the availability of the arena? Maybe I just didn't pay attention but I never remember Tulsa being much more of a draw for the big concerts before the Thunder came. I imagine having the arena tied up as much as we do for the NBA hurts our ability at some concerts.

The arena in OKC has been under construction the last 3 off-seasons.

[warreng88]

I am curious what the lineup will be for this year. Cornett and Hall said last year they had plans for it going forward. I know these bands are available (via pollstar, they are either in the area or don’t have anything set in stone) and would be a good mixture for festival with different genres. My idea would be for a Labor day weekend festival as most artists have a tour already scheduled through summer.

Saturday, September 5th: The Who, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Reverend Horton Heat, Yellowcard and Bowling for Soup
Sunday, September 6th: Imagine Dragons, Barenaked Ladies, George Clinton and the P-Funk all-stars and Avett Brothers
Monday, September 7th: Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker (Hootie) and Pat Green

This would give a little more variety to the lineup and almost specify a rock, pop and country night. But it would cost an arm and a leg, that's for sure.

[bradh]

Good Lord that's a hell of a lineup, probably a pipe dream but yeah that would be giant

[gopokes88]

I am curious what the lineup will be for this year. Cornett and Hall said last year they had plans for it going forward. I know these bands are available (via pollstar, they are either in the area or don’t have anything set in stone) and would be a good mixture for festival with different genres. My idea would be for a Labor day weekend festival as most artists have a tour already scheduled through summer.

Saturday, September 5th: The Who, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Reverend Horton Heat, Yellowcard and Bowling for Soup
Sunday, September 6th: Imagine Dragons, Barenaked Ladies, George Clinton and the P-Funk all-stars and Avett Brothers
Monday, September 7th: Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker (Hootie) and Pat Green

This would give a little more variety to the lineup and almost specify a rock, pop and country night. But it would cost an arm and a leg, that's for sure.

LOL. There's no way in hell they are going to go against OU football home opener and the last lake weekend of the year. It should stay the exact same weekend it was to help people get into a rhythm and establish itself. There's a reason festivals don't change weekends.

[warreng88]

Ok, so the last one was on the third weekend in June. Using that same weekend, this is the unrealistic lineup I came up with:

Friday, June 26th: Aerosmith, Filter, Bowling for Soup and Reverend Horton Heat
Saturday, June 27th: Foster the People, No Doubt, Third Eye Blind and Kool and the Gang
Sunday, June 28th: Florida Georgia Line, Stoney LaRue, Reckless Kelly, Merle Haggard and Randy Rogers band.

Again, this specifies a rock, pop and country night and would be completely out of the rhelm of possibilities of booking all these people on a budget.

[gopokes88]

Ok, so the last one was on the third weekend in June. Using that same weekend, this is the unrealistic lineup I came up with:

Friday, June 26th: Aerosmith, Filter, Bowling for Soup and Reverend Horton Heat
Saturday, June 27th: Foster the People, No Doubt, Third Eye Blind and Kool and the Gang
Sunday, June 28th: Florida Georgia Line, Stoney LaRue, Reckless Kelly, Merle Haggard and Randy Rogers band.

Again, this specifies a rock, pop and country night and would be completely out of the rhelm of possibilities of booking all these people on a budget.

I don't even care who they book I'll go regardless. I'm sure when the lineup is announced 75% of the board will complain and 25% will be happy, as per the norm on okctalk.

I can promise you they are not going to try and compete against the other options on Labor Day.