Organizers for Resonance Music & Arts Festival announced on Tuesday that the event will not return to Marvin’s Mountaintop this year. The event took place September 16th–18th, 2021 at the Masontown, WV venue for the first time after bouncing around a number of locations over the past few years.
“Feeling very grateful for all the memories created on the Mountaintop in 2021, but ultimately it poses too many obstacles for us to be able to return while maintaining our core vision and values,” organizers for the festival wrote on Facebook. “We want to thank our ever faithful following for supporting us along the way and for showing us that no matter where Resonance may end up, it’s people and it’s community have always been what has made Resonance special.”
After finding its home for its first five years at Legend Valley in Thornville, OH, Resonance moved to Cooper’s Lake in Slippery Rock, PA for 2019. This ultimately proved a one-off celebration in Pennsylvania, as in June of 2021 organizers announced the search for a new venue. Days later, Resonance staff revealed the festival’s new home at Marvin’s Mountaintop, site of the former All Good Festival, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong‘s Domefest in 2019, and regional Burning Man events.
Essential Productions successfully staged a Resonance Festival in West Virginia this past fall, though not without its issues. The Preston County News & Journal reported 16 felony arrests, 13 misdemeanor arrests, and 67 citations through the Sunday the festival ended. In the aftermath of the festival, Preston County held an after-action meeting to discuss how to amend their mass gathering mandate to prevent another festival like Resonance, which local officials allege drew near 20,000 attendees—well over the 10,000 person limit set by the county.
Though Essential Productions reportedly signed a five-year contract with Marvin’s, the Cincinnati, OH production company is soliciting suggestions from fans for a new home.
“As we look on to the horizon and our venue search continues, we wanted to give you an opportunity to voice any suggestions you may have on potential landing spots,” organizers wrote. “We plan to scale back down to a size that’s more in tune with our original vision so think locations with a capacity of at least 5k.”
Essential Productions still plans to host a spring event, Resonate, at Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL May 12th–14th. Organizers want to keep Resonance in its traditional slot of late summer/early fall and located in the Midwest. EP also noted that the festival’s former home of Legend Valley is not an option due to the site’s already filled schedule around the festival’s usual timeframe.
Visit the Resonance Music & Arts Festival Facebook page to suggest a new site for the event. Scroll down to read the full statement from organizers.
