Outdoor show, no longer in downtown Merced, moved to Vista Ranch

A downtown show that was to shut down Canal Street between Main and 18th streets for an all-day outdoor concert on Saturday has been moved, according to the promoter.

Dubbed the Gateway Music Festival, the lineup of bands, DJs and a hip-hop emcee was not selling enough tickets, so an investor pulled the plug on the downtown show, promoter Joshua Rivera said.

He said he was disappointed to not be able to use downtown, but managed to save the show from cancellation. “People were excited to do this,” he said.

Initially, Rivera said he would have to cancel the show altogether. But, after some changes to the lineup, Vista Ranch and Cellars swooped in to save the concert.

Bonnie Crosby, the operations manager for Vista, confirmed the plans to host the concert.

The Stone Foxes, a Bay Area band known for its bluesy rock riffs, will still headline the show, Rivera said. He still expects more than a dozen bands, including Merced-based rock groups Bus Stop Boxer, Other Mothers and The Notalauts, as well as reggae band Homebrew.

A number of other bands are scheduled from out of the area: the psychedelic sounds of Plant Tribe, Down Dirty Shake and The Love Dimension, among other bands and genres.

Rivera said the show will not feature any of the previously planned DJs, rapper Casual from the Hieroglyphics, Skanks Roots Project or Snake Oil Circus.

The festival is planned for 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Vista Ranch, 7326 Highway 140. Rivera lowered the ticket prices to $15 ahead of time and $25 at the door. He said those who previously bought tickets and want a refund after the changes to the lineup can get their money back by calling him at (209) 756-0198.

This story was originally published May 7, 2015 at 12:14 PM with the headline "Outdoor show, no longer in downtown Merced, moved to Vista Ranch."