As a gamer putting myself in Jonathan Mayers‘ shoes, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey I embarked upon in the world of music festivals. From the bustling vibes of Bonnaroo to the enchanting landscapes of Outside Lands, I had the privilege of co-creating these legendary events as part of Superfly Entertainment. Sadly, my story took an unexpected turn, as I’ve recently left this world at the tender age of 51. The cause of my departure remains a mystery for now.
News has come that the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will commence on June 12, featuring Luke Combs as the main act. This three-day music event will run until June 15.
Born and raised in New York City, this individual established Superfly Presents, an event and marketing company, alongside partners Kerry Black, Rick Farman, and Richard Goodstone back in 1996. They have since collaborated with Another Planet Entertainment to create notable events like the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, as well as Bonnaroo, which has been running annually on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee since 2002.
Mayers initially started his career by collaborating with the iconic Tipitina’s in New Orleans and participating in their famous Jazz Fest. Later, Superfly organized their debut concert featuring The Meters, Maceo Parker, and Rebirth Brass Band for Mardi Gras celebrations.
Mayer collaborated with Ashley Caps from AC Entertainment, Chip Hooper of Paradigm agency, and Coran Capshaw from Red Light Management to initiate Bonnaroo. Featuring main acts like Trey Anastasio from Phish and ex-members of the Grateful Dead, it has grown to serve as a blueprint for contemporary music festivals, consistently attracting over 70,000 attendees annually.
In 2005, Superfly initiated Vegoose music festival in the vibrant city of Las Vegas. Later, it collaborated with Another Planet to establish Outside Lands, a renowned event held in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Fast forward to 2017, Mayers teamed up with Viacom and Comedy Central to bring to life Clusterfest, an amusing festival featuring comedians such as Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Jon Stewart, and Trevor Noah.
Mayer’s unique marketing strategy involved setting up replicas of famous TV shows such as Seinfeld, The Office, and The Daily Show, providing fans with immersive experiences. For example, a Friends pop-up of the well-known set was established in New York, Boston, and Atlanta.
Mayer’s creative marketing strategy included constructing replicas of popular TV shows like Seinfeld, The Office, and The Daily Show to offer fans an immersive experience. As a case in point, the iconic Friends set was reproduced in cities such as New York, Boston, and Atlanta.
In August 2021, Mayers departed from Superfly, and he filed a lawsuit against his former associates in early 2022, alleging they had violated their contractual obligations and committed fraud by undervaluing his stake in the company. However, this lawsuit was dismissed in January 2023.
After departing from Superfly, Mayers focused his efforts on the Core City Detroit initiative, an endeavor aimed at securing investments for the city’s heart, eventually developing a music-centric campus offering engaging public entertainment experiences.
Peter Shapiro, his long-standing friend and co-founder of Dayglo Presents and Brooklyn Bowl, referred to him as one of the genuine innovators shaping today’s live music scene.
Another Planet Entertainment released a statement that characterized Mayers as “a shining beacon, consistently bringing fresh and innovative concepts to the entertainment world.” The team at Another Planet will deeply miss him.
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2025-06-10 05:24