GRiZ puts Seven Stars Festival on hiatus after learning its Virginia venue was a plantation
The festival won’t return to Oak Ridge Farm after two editions. GRiZ says his team knew about the site’s history before the debut and did not tell him.
Seven Stars Festival will not return to Oak Ridge Farm in Arrington, Virginia. GRiZ, the festival’s founder, announced the decision after learning that the land was once a plantation, EDM.com reports. The festival held two editions at the farm. The latest ran Oct 9–11, 2026, according to the festival’s website. Early camping opened Oct 8, Nelson County says.
What GRiZ said about Seven Stars Festival
In a video he shared on Oct 29, GRiZ said Seven Stars is taking an “intentional hiatus” to find a new home, according to EDM.com. He said he learned about the land’s history last Sunday. He also said members of his team knew before the festival’s debut. They had consulted educators at the University of Virginia but did not bring that knowledge to him, the outlet reports.
“This fell on my watch, and the failure is entirely mine,” GRiZ said, as quoted by EDM.com. “To everyone I put in the position of processing this heavy reality without warning, from our dedicated fans to our artists and workshop leaders, I am deeply sorry.”
There is no timeline for the return of Seven Stars Festival, EDM.com notes.
The history of Oak Ridge
The venue addresses its past on its own website. “Although little is known about the specifics of the enslaved at Oak Ridge in the 1800s, the Rives family records do list 124 slaves at the property,” the Oak Ridge Estate FAQ states.
According to EDM.com, the land passed to the Rives family in 1793. The family had to sell after the Civil War, the outlet adds.
How the issue surfaced
Earlier this week, a social media post drew attention to the property’s history, EDM.com reports. Calls followed for GRiZ to respond. Meanwhile, fans disagree about the decision, EDMTunes reports. On the event’s subreddit, many argue that time can redeem a site with a troubled past, the outlet says.
Vetting a venue’s history
In this case, the venue did not hide its history. Its FAQ states it plainly. In GRiZ’s account, his team had researched the site with outside educators. The failure, he says, was that the finding never reached him. As a result, Seven Stars is now searching for a new home, he said.
What’s next for GRiZ
Seven Stars debuted in 2025, shortly after GRiZ returned from a two-year break from touring, EDM.com notes. Separately, GRiZ returns to the Gorge Amphitheater next May for GRiZTronics, a three-day camping festival with Subtronics, EDMTunes reports.
For another festival that changed course this week, read BEZ’s story on Hypersonic’s cancelled 2026 shows.
Sources: EDM.com, Becca, Oct 30, 2026; EDMTunes, Oct 30, 2026; Oak Ridge Estate, FAQ; Seven Stars Festival; Nelson County, Seven Stars Music Festival community information; Seven Stars Festival / GRiZ statement on Instagram
GRiZ plays saxophone on stage at Bonnaroo 2026. Image: Taylor Regulski, via EDM.com
