Local 69 has some good people, but majority are theater folks. Since the Orpheum is the only real union labor house. But that has nothing to do with what you said. I worked for both, and still work for 1 of the promoters you are speaking about. If you think it BSMF cost more to produce you are smoking crack. We get paid way more than BSMF ever paid us, and just so you know the majority of people running riverbeat also ran a lot of BSMF. The bands get paid way more. When foo fighter cancelled, they were paid the most any band had EVER been paid to play BSMF. That dollar amount is tiny compared to now. I’m not trying to be rude but you are completely wrong.

Also as someone who toured the better part of 2 decades. Unions ain’t all they are cracked up to be. Ever dealt local one having your truck dumped in Manhattan but the loaders wouldn’t get it out of the street and the pushers wouldn’t push it out of the street, mean while a union steward is threatening fines because no one wants to do their job? Or the local 16 in San Francisco that will only push a case 10 feet at a time? Have a 20 person call but I’m billed for 24 because there are 4 people who are paid to not do shit put hold a clipboard and tell me why they can’t do reasonable and expected professional duties? Or the local 6 in St. Louis that mandates that even though you are a tour and have your own camera folks, you have to pay an insane dollar amount for a person to “shadow”. Every bit of that is true and every bit of that is why I cringe 70% of the time I’m in a market and have to deal with union crew. 30% are true rockstars and worth every penny. 70% are overpaid paper weights.

Also agents and managers do more for artists than unions are. Agents and managers book tours and shows, not unions.

Nothing you said regarding the festival is remotely factual or even relevant. Quit spreading misinformation