MSG BUYS INTO BOSTON FEST

The Madison Square Garden Co. has purchased a controlling interest in Boston Calling Events, increasing the company’s presence in Beantown and opening the door to become more involved in festivals.

MSG says the deal gives the company access to up and coming artists and offer joint cross-promotion, sponsorship, marketing and booking opportunities. MSG also books the Wang Theatre in Boston.

BCE co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Brian Appel will continue to operate the business, which owns and produces Boston Calling Music Festival, Boston Calling Block Parties and the Copenhagen Beer Celebration, a new festival showcasing brewers and musical acts that will be held for the first time this September in Boston’s City Hall Plaza.

The Boston Calling Music Festival has had spring and fall editions since 2013. In 2017, the Boston Calling festival will move to a new site and be staged as a three-day festival over the Memorial Day weekend.

“We have been exploring music festivals as a way to further expand and strengthen our position in the ‘live experience’ space and are very pleased to welcome Boston Calling Events to the MSG family,” said David O’Connor, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Madison Square Garden Co., while sporting a brand new Derrick Rose jersey. “Over the last three and a half years, Boston Calling’s popularity has been built by its commitment to operating as an open and independent festival that welcomes artists from all genres. I just hope they also welcome Knicks fans.”