Texas RenFest Will Not Host Middlelands In 2018 [Update: Insomniac’s Official Statement Inside]

Update 5/19 3:30pm PT: Insomniac Events has released an official statement regarding Middlelands:

We were very surprised and disappointed by the decision announced by the Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF) to no longer host Middlelands (MDL) at the Texas Renaissance Festival Fair Grounds. From the beginning, MDL producers set out to create a safe and enjoyable experience for both attendees and residents in the surrounding neighborhoods, with hopes to stimulate the growing local economy. Contrary to news reports, the producers of MDL traveled to Houston for the Town Hall meeting but were subsequently told it was cancelled by TRF officials. We fully appreciate the beauty of Todd Mission and the nearby areas, and were prepared to implement residents’ feedback in order to transform MDL into a valued community event. An astounding 66,000 guests attended the inaugural MDL festival, with many sharing their positive experiences. To our fans, rest assured we plan to return.

Middlelands Organizers

Pasquale Rotella has also released an official statement on his Instagram:

IMPORTANT @MiddlelandsFest UPDATE: Happy to say we received an incredible amount of positive feedback and support from attendees and many local businesses. Thanks and love to all of you! We did experience some issues with sound complaints in the community, but these are not problems that are isolated to our shows. These are normal growing pains for any first-time festival… and there are always solutions. I flew to Houston with the intention of speaking to the community face to face in a Town Hall meeting. To spend three hours on a plane only to be told on arrival by a TRF official that they were cancelling the meeting is disappointing to say the least. Despite what the media is saying, I showed up, as I always do. I will always fight to the end for our culture. This is not the end of Middlelands. We will be back! Here’s a pic of me and #RainbowAuroraRotella rocking out on the Bassrush stage!! #footloose

A post shared by Pasquale Rotella (@pasqualerotella) on May 19, 2017 at 3:12pm PDT

While Middlelands was well-received and seen as a success by many in the electronic music scene, the venue owners and community doesn’t seem to share the same sentiments.

Middlelands, which was put on in collaboration between Insomniac Events and C3 Presents at the Texas Renaissance Festival grounds, received some mixed reactions from the community during and after the festival. The festival itself has been highly touted by those who attended as one of the best they’ve experienced, but there seemed to be some serious backlash from the community too. While many in the area seemed to understand the festival and it’s attendees, others were not impressed by the booming bass and vibe that Middlelands brought with it. With over 60,000 festival attendees flooding into the area, it seemed to provide a brief economic boost to the area’s hotels and more.

A Town Hall meeting was called for Thursday, May 18, in which many who live in the surrounding area voiced their thoughts on the matter. Those who were supposed to attend the Town Hall from Insomniac missed their flights and were not in attendance (This was later disputed by claims from Insomniac that they were indeed on site and told the meeting was canceled). With both positive and negative remarks being heard, a quick response was released today by the venue, stating they will not play host to the festival next year.

Texas Renaissance Festival general manager Terre Albert said in a statement:

“TRF is always looking for new ways to bring fun and magic to the Houston area, which is why we partnered with Insomniac, C3 Events and Live Nation, to create the Middlelands music festival on our grounds. Middlelands was a great success and brought over 60,000 people to the area from all over the country and the world. However, after a meeting with executive leadership and based on Texas Renaissance Festival’s overall mission, we’ve have made the decision to not move forward in hosting the event again.”

Will Insomniac and C3 Presents find a new venue for Middlelands in 2018? What do you think will happen to the future of this festival? Let us know in the comments below!

Connect with Middlelands on Social Media:

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Connect with Texas Renaissance Festival on Social Media:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Featured Photo Credit: Insomniac Events