Madison Square Garden Company purchases controlling interest in Boston Calling
The local music festival is no longer locally owned.
Seven editions in, Boston Calling has grown to become a local music institution. Now, the festival, which is moving from City Hall Plaza to Allston next spring, has a new set of owners.
Today, New York’s The Madison Square Garden Company purchased a controlling interest in Boston Calling Events, the company that has produced every Boston Calling Music Festival since its 2013 inception, as well as related events such as the weekly Boston Calling Block Parties and this September’s inaugural Copenhagen Beer Celebration. MSG has had a presence in the Boston music scene for eight years now, thanks to a booking agreement with the Wang Theatre. The company mostly has experience in venue ownership and booking, operating Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the Beacon Theatre in New York, as well as venues elsewhere such as The Forum in Inglewood, CA and the Chicago Theatre. MSG also owns 50 percent of the Tribeca Film Festival.
MSG has not announced any changes to the festival’s format, other than the previously mentioned venue change and the anticipated growth that comes with it. According to a release, this includes “more and larger acts,” still curated by The National’s Aaron Dessner, an expanded capacity, and “other types of programming, including comedy, visual art and a new film festival.”
Boston Calling Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Brian Appel will continue to operate the business.
“We are excited about joining a company that not only shares our commitment to delivering artist-and fan-friendly events, but that truly believes in the growing value of unique and exceptional live experiences,” Appel said. “Their support will be invaluable as we continue to work on delivering successful events for music fans, while exploring new opportunities in the festival space.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com