Country Festival WE Fest Postponed Until 2021

Country music festival WE Fest has been postponed until August 2021, festival organizers have announced.

Live Nation acquired the festival from Townsquare Media in August; WE Fest has been held at Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, for the past 37 years. The 2019 edition of the festival featured headliners Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn.

In an interview with Twin Cities Pioneer Press, Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell stated that the festival will remain at the same location.

“All of the rumors that are flying around that we’re going to move the festival and all that kind of stuff are not true,” O’Connell told the Twin Cities Pioneer Press. “We want to take the time to get to know the 37-year tradition of WE Fest and talk to as many people as we can who have been involved with it. There is a lot of history that we need to be respectful of, and a lot of people who are very invested in this festival.”

O’Connell noted Live Nation’s acquisition of WE Fest happened very close to the 2019 festival, noting that he and his team “didn’t feel like we had a good enough handle on things” to begin booking acts for 2020 and announcing headliners for next year during the 2019 event, which was the tradition under the festival’s previous owners.

“Instead of just booking a band and throwing tickets up on sale and figuring the rest of it out later, we hit the brakes,” he said.

WE Fest also issued a statement via social media:

“We are so excited to embark on this new journey with WE Fest. With 37 years under its belt, we know this festival is an important part of the Detroit Lakes community and so, our goal is to continue to honor and build upon this special event. In order to do the best possible job we can, we will be using 2020 as a planning year. We are excited to continue the tradition and bring an even bigger and better festival to country music fans in the summer of 2021. We look forward to seeing you then!” read a statement issued from WE Fest organizers.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

Latest posts by Jessica Nicholson (see all)

• CMA Honors Robert Deaton With Chairman’s Award - December 4, 2020
• Nashville Symphony, Nashville Musicians Association Reach Agreement - December 4, 2020
• Zach Williams’ “Chain Breaker” Is Most-Added On ‘MusicRow’ CountryBreakout Radio Chart - December 4, 2020