Debts that have accumulated for several years and, now, a Damocles sword on the head. After a hearing in the Administrative Court on Tuesday, the famous Music Festival of Lyon Woodstower was placed bankrupt, the organizers announced this Friday, September 12 during a press conference.
The demonstration, supported by the communities, actively seeks a buyer: the procedure opens until December 9. Due to lack of buyer before October 3, it could be placed in mandatory liquidation.
35% increase in festival attendees
This decision occurs after a 26th edition (from July 7 to 10, 2025), which brought together 23,500 festival attendees and, for the first time, took place in Gerland in Lyon and no longer in Miribel Jonage Park. The event recorded an increase of 35% in the number of festival attendees compared to last year, but remains below expectations (21,000 tickets sold against 25,000 hopes).
In particular, in question, the climate that led to a loss of 30 to 40,000 euros in the free part, the advanced calendar of one month and the program was considered less attractive. The bars, on the other hand, record satisfactory results. Therefore, the festival accuses a deficit of 200,000 euros, which increases the previous debts. The total deficit now amounts to 600,000 euros.
Existing for almost 30 years, the Woodstower Festival has scheduled artists at the same time in general public and acute, from various origins, such as Angèle, Booba, Pete Doherty, Joeystarr, Alpha Blondy, Tricky, Biga Ranx or Olivia Ruiz.
Source: BFM TV
