Heavy Montreal cancels 2017 concert with Parc Jean-Drapeau under construction
Osheaga still scheduled for next summer despite venue change
HeavyMontreal is taking a one-year hiatus while construction is underway inParcJean-DrapeauonleSainte-Hlne.
"Several factors, including the renovations at Parc Jean-Drapeau and the increase in cultural events during Montral's 375thanniversary, contributed to our decision," NickFarkas, vice-president for Evenko, which organizes the heavy metal festival, said in a statement.
The 2015 festival was held over three days and drew thousands of people. Farkas said Heavy Montreal will be back in 2018.
Un message pour tous nos fans de Heavy Montral // A message to all our Heavy Montreal fans https://t.co/APz7PFPIYK
—@heavymtl
The cancellation means some music-weary residents on Montreal's South Shore, where Saint-Lambertlaunched a legal battle over concert noise concerns,will get a bit of a reprieve.
Evenko earlier announced that two other music festivals, Osheagaand leSoniq, will be relocated toneighbouringle Notre-Dame in 2017 due to construction in the park, moving them even closer to Saint-Lambert.
Montreal isredeveloping the popular festival siteto increase capacity from 45,000 to 65,000 people,as part of thecity's375thanniversary celebrations.
The $70-millionproject will include construction ofanew amphitheatre facingSaint-Lambert across the river.