After two years, First City Festival has left the Fairgrounds. So where does it go next?

Over the past month, there's been a lot of speculation whether or not the First City Festival would be returning to the Monterey County Fairgrounds in 2015.

Last year, the boutique indie rock gathering—paired with amusement rides—brought Beck, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Best Coast and The National, which headlined the Weekly's FCF preview.

(Also check out the Weekly's look at one of FCF 2014's unlikely heroes, Puddles Pity Party.)

FCF's 2013 debut featured Passion Pit, Neko Case (which earned the Weekly's preview coverage), MGMT, Modest Mouse and Dr. Dog.

Deerhunter put one of the most memorable shows of the day. 

And Father John Misty delivered one of the most memorable performances of 2013.

The final attendance tally for First City's inaugural year: more than 10,000 per day, or 30,000 for all three days.

The Weekly reached out to festival producer AEG Live Goldenvoice for an official 2014 attendance number, however, never heard back.

Attendance was noticeably down. 

Which suggests one reason for all of the rumors—which have been officially confirmed.

Monterey County Fair & Event Center CEO Kelly Violini says the festival producing outfit Goldenvoice contacted the Fairgrounds a couple weeks ago to tell her that they are not renewing their contract for First City.

She says Goldenvoice didn't give a reason why.

An insider who requested anonymity tells the Weekly poor ticket sales was the reason. 

"It's all about the bottom line," says the source. "And it was obvious the second year didn't do as good as the first year."

"It's unfortunate that they're not returning, but it's typical," Violini explains. "We will miss the First City Festival staff, who are all great people to work with, but we will continue to busy ourselves with the fair."

Violini speaks for many when she says she learned a lot about styles of music she had never heard before—and that First City was a positive experience for the community overall.

"It was upbeat, very eclectic and brought all different types of people," she adds. 

Reliable word from sources close to Goldenvoice add that the promotion group isn't planning on relocating the First City Festival, and that the entertainment giant hasn't seen its last show in Monterey.