Is Woodstock 50 shaping up to be another failed festival?
Back in January an official announcement confirmed that a 50th anniversary three-day concert event is planned to commemorate the original Woodstock, held in August 1969.
Woodstock 50 hailed from Michael Lang, the co-creator of the original Woodstock, but since the announcement, it seems that the festival that set to compete with the likes of Coachella, and Lollapalooza, is shaping up to be a major failure.
“We are looking for unique performances,” Lang told Rolling Stone. “A lot of festivals these days are kind of cookie-cutter. Very few of them have any sort of social impact [and] that’s a wasted opportunity.”
In March 2019, the line-up for the festival was revealed and tickets were to go on sale on Earth Day. But then headliners began pulling out of the festival and Earth day came and not a single ticket went on sale.
“There is currently a hold on the Woodstock 50 on-sale date. We are waiting on an official press statement from Woodstock 50 regarding updated announce, ticket pricing, and overall festival information,” an e-mail by the festival’s organizers read, per Rolling Stone. “We will get this information to you as soon as we receive it.”
Then came the cancelation announcement by festival’s primary financial partners.
“It’s a dream for agencies to work with iconic brands and to be associated with meaningful movements. We have a strong history of producing experiences that bring people together around common interests and causes which is why we chose to be a part of the Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival. But despite our tremendous investment of time, effort and commitment, we don’t believe the production of the festival can be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name while also ensuring the health and safety of the artists, partners, and attendees,” Dentsu Aegis Network’s Amplifi Live said in a statement to USA Today. “As a result and after careful consideration, Dentsu Aegis Network’s Amplifi Live, a partner of Woodstock 50, has decided to cancel the festival. As difficult as it is, we believe this is the most prudent decision for all parties involved.”
With no tickets, no location and no backers — much like the original Woodstock all these years ago, it remains to be seen whether Woodstock 50 is another Fyre Festival in the making.
