After big attendance drop, Bonnaroo at a crossroads


              FILE - In this June 10, 2016 file photo, a lighted archway leading onto the farm appears at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn. Music fans will have more options to dance the night away at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, which is unveiling an all-night stage focusing on dance, electronic and hip hop artists. The Other stage will run all night at this year’s festival, which is scheduled for June 8-11 in Manchester, Tennessee. The lineup includes Marshmello, Big Gigantic, Yellow Claw, D.R.A.M., Motama, Louis the Child, Borgore and more. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - In this June 10, 2016 file photo, a lighted archway leading onto the farm appears at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn. Music fans will have more options to dance the night away at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, which is unveiling an all-night stage focusing on dance, electronic and hip hop artists. The Other stage will run all night at this year’s festival, which is scheduled for June 8-11 in Manchester, Tennessee. The lineup includes Marshmello, Big Gigantic, Yellow Claw, D.R.A.M., Motama, Louis the Child, Borgore and more. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

MANCHESTER, Tenn. (AP) - The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee is at a crossroads as organizers deal with last year's plummeting ticket sales while engaging in talks to extend their agreement with Coffee County.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reports the festival's current deal to pay Coffee County $30,000 plus $3 per ticket sold is set to expire after this year's festival. Ticket sales at the festival fell by 28,000 in 2016, reaching an all-time low of 45,553.

Ashley Capps, whose company AC Entertainment co-founded the festival, contends the festival landscape has become more competitive, but says ticket sales are up this year.

Paul Fischer, a music business professor at Middle Tennessee State University, says Bonnaroo has booked a good lineup this year with bands appealing to younger fans.

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