Outaouais Rock, who have operated the annual ‘Montebello Rockfest‘ in Montebello, QC since 2008, filed for bankruptcy this week. The festival’s founder Alex Martel has since issued the below statement yesterday, December 21st, clarifying that the festival will live on.
“Today, the Outaouais Rock organization, which has operated Rockfest since 2008, has filed for bankruptcy. The end of this entity does not mean the death of the festival that I have founded at 17 and that I have dedicated my life to.
- Advertisement -Despite everyone’s efforts since late June to save the organization – including the KPMG firm, the former majority partners and myself – no agreement was concluded yet and the deadline for the last court extension has arrived.
While I would have strongly preferred an alternative solution to using the Bankruptcy law, I must respect the decision that was taken. I wish the former majority partners – with whom I am no longer affiliated – the best of luck in their future endeavours and I thank them for their contributions to the festival in the past three years. As the festival founder, I will accept my part of the blame and take the responsibility that is mine. I’d also like to personally send my sincerest apologies to those affected by this sad situation.
As of today therefore, I am free and back on my own as the ship captain as I was for the first 10 years. I’m taking back control of my own destiny. There is a lot of work ahead of me in order to put back together what I have built and to make things right, but I will roll up my sleeves and move forward with my head up.
I’d like to thank the long-time staff of the festival who continues to this day to follow me on this journey with loyalty; the bands that have shown support and understanding throughout this tough moment despite some being affected – this means the world to me and I will never forget it; and of course my family of festival-goers who are still with me and who have changed my life forever.
It’s for YOU that I won’t ever give up – I will never take your support and love for granted. I’ve always done it out of passion and I will continue to do it for the right reasons without letting anyone undermine this festival that has always been my baby. My goal is to continue to bring to you fun times in Montebello every summer as has been the case for the past 13 years.
I will grab some much-needed rest during the holidays and will be back at some point in January with some news regarding the future as soon as I can! In the meantime, you’re always welcome to send me your ideas, comments or proposals : a.martel@amnesiarockfest.com”
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