Latest news with #FyreFest2
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Billy McFarland Is Selling the Fyre Festival Brand After Postponing Event. But You Can Still Buy Merch!
Billy McFarland is onto a new business venture. On Wednesday, April 23, the founder of the controversial Fyre Fest founder revealed that he is selling the brand that made him infamous. McFarland, 33, posted a lengthy statement on Instagram detailing his plan. "When my team and I launched FYRE Festival 2, it was about two things: finishing what I started and making things right," he began. McFarland said he and his team spent the last two years bringing back Fyre Fest "with honesty, transparency, relentless effort, and creativity" and had taken "the long road to rebuilding trust." McFarland acknowledges the attention that Fyre Fest had since its inception almost 10 years ago, and said that the brand became too large for him to lead on his own. "We have decided the best way to accomplish our goals is to sell the FYRE Festival brand, including its trademarks, IP, digital assets, media reach, and cultural capital," he wrote. Related: Donald Trump's Campaign Asked Disgraced Fyre Fest Founder Billy McFarland for Help Wooing Rappers: Report McFarland also mentioned that when planning Fyre Fest 2, he was approached by "several Caribbean destinations eager to host" but the attention it received became a double-edged sword. "While I'm incredibly excited, I can't risk a repeat of what happened in Playa Del Carmen, where support quickly turned into public distancing once media attention intensified," he said. "For FYRE Festival 2 to succeed, it's clear that I need to step back and allow a new team to move forward independently, bringing the vision to life on this incredible island." The disgraced businessman concluded that relinquishing control to a new group is the best way for the Fyre Fest brand to move forward. "To the supporters, believers, and builders who've stuck with my team and me: thank you." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "We will pick the new group based on their ability to execute the vision of FYRE in a transparent, grand, and expeditious manner. The next chapter of FYRE will be bigger, better, and built to last without me at the helm." The week before this announcement, Fyre Fest posted that the event was "postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date in the future" with no new location noted. Those planning to attend the festival were issued a refund. Fyre Fest 2 was originally slated to take place on Isla Mujeres from May 30 to June 2. Tickets for the event ranged from $1,400 to $1.1 million, McFarland announced. Related: Music Festivals 2025: Performers, Dates, Locations and Everything You Need to Know However, the Isla Mujeres Tourism Board released a statement claiming that Fyre Fest 2 "does not exist." "We have no knowledge of this event, nor contact with any person or company about it. For us, this is an event that does not exist," they said. The original Fyre Fest took place in 2017, touting famous influencers and musicians as part of the lineup. The festival promised a luxurious experience and guests were greeted with underwhelming accommodations and chaos. McFarland was found guilty of two counts of wire fraud in relation to the festival the following year and served four years in prison. In the meantime, fans can purchase Fyre Fest merch while it's still available. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy McFarland Is Looking for a Buyer Who Wants to Make Fyre Fest Their Problem Instead
Billy McFarland has realized that he might be the problem with Fyre Festival. The convicted fraudster who founded the event is looking for someone to buy it from him after having to postpone its planned comeback, Fyre Festival II, twice. 'For Fyre Festival 2 to succeed, it's clear that I need to step back and allow a new team to move forward independently, bringing the vision to life on this incredible island,' McFarland shared in a statement. 'We will pick the new group based on their ability to execute the vision of Fyre in a transparent, grand, and expeditious manner. The next chapter of Fyre will be bigger, better, and built to last without me at the helm.' More from Rolling Stone Fyre Fest 2 Postponed, Obviously Billy McFarland Insists He Has Fyre Fest 2 Location Under Control, Despite City's Denial A Second Mexican City Says Fyre Fest 2 Isn't Happening There The Fyre Festival sale will include its trademarks, IP, digital assets, media reach, and cultural capital, according to the statement. McFarland has been reportedly planning the festival's return for the past two years. In 2023, 100 presale tickets priced at $499 sold out when barely anything was known about the return. The founder had been released from prison one year prior after pleading guilty to fraud charges related to the disastrous first Fyre Festival. He served just under four years. He still sees the festival as a success. 'Since 2017, FYRE has dominated headlines, documentaries, and conversations as one of the world's most talked-about music festivals. We knew that Fyre was big, but we didn't realize just how massive the wave would become. That wave has brought us here: to a point where we know it's time to call for assistance,' McFarland said. 'This brand is bigger than any one person and bigger than what I'm able to lead on my own. It's a movement. And it deserves a team with the scale, experience, and infrastructure to realize its potential.' General ticket sales for Fyre Festival II launched earlier this year, with price points ranging from $1,400 to $1.1 million. It was originally scheduled to take place May 30 to June 2 on Isla Mujeres in Mexico, then relocated to Playa del Carmen after local officials claimed to not have known anything about these plans. That also didn't work. 'I can't risk a repeat of what happened in Playa Del Carmen, where support quickly turned into public distancing once media attention intensified,' McFarland said. Last week, Fyre Festival II was postponed with no new date set. Ticket buyers have been told they will receive refunds and have the option to repurchase in the future 'if it works for your schedule.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
With No Hint of Irony, Fyre Fest 2 Accuses Mexican Officials of 'Theft'
The post With No Hint of Irony, Fyre Fest 2 Accuses Mexican Officials of 'Theft' appeared first on Consequence. Following news of its postponement, Fyre Fest 2 organizers are accusing government officials in Playa del Carmen of 'theft.' In a statement released to ticket-holders of the festival and members of the press, Fyre Fest spokesperson Nick Lowe accused government officials of pulling the rug out from under festival officials after they initially 'approached us with a proposal we couldn't refuse.' Lowe alleged that, 'The Playa del Carmen government introduced us to venues, hotels, and hospitality partners, all of which we signed and paid. The Playa del Carmen government issued permits from the Secretary General, Tourism, and Environment—all paid for. The Playa del Carmen government held a joint press conference alongside our venue. The Playa del Carmen government made public announcements on their official government Instagram and X accounts, expressing their excitement for FYRE Festival 2 to take place in Playa del Carmen.' 'Then, days later, and after international media coverage, the same government publicly denied any awareness of FYRE Festival 2,' Lowe continued. 'You can't make this stuff up. When a government takes your money, issues permits, promotes the event, and then pretends it's never heard of you, that's not just dishonest—it's theft. Due to this, we have decided to move FYRE Festival 2 elsewhere.' If you're reading this and thinking, hey, the scenario described above sounds an awful lot like the fraud perpetrated during the original Fyre Fest—wherein Billy McFarland convinced a bunch of people to purchase tickets to what was essentially a fake event with no acts and no accommodations, only to then be stranded for days on an island in the Bahamas, which led to McFarland being arrested and spending four years in federal prison—you're right! Anyhow, McFarland is still adamant that Fyre Fest 2 will take place on a new date and at a new location. In fact, he's currently polling potential locations via Instagram: options include Utila, Honduras; Turks & Caicos; New York City; and Puerto Rico. Popular Posts The 100 Best Guitarists of All Time New Pornographers Drummer Joseph Seiders Charged with Child Pornography Reggie Watts Bummed Out by Coachella: "[Its] Soul Feels Increasingly Absent" Green Day Open Coachella With "American Idiot" Performance: "Not a Part of MAGA Agenda" A Night of Mayhem: Lady Gaga's Coachella Performance Is One for the History Books Haley Joel Osment Arrested for Public Intoxication At Ski Resort Subscribe to Consequence's email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fyre Fest 2 Postponed, Obviously
Shocking absolutely no one: Fyre Festival 2 is not happening. Organizers for the fest announced that it had been 'postponed' in a message sent to ticket holders Wednesday, April 16, per ABC News. More from Rolling Stone Billy McFarland Insists He Has Fyre Fest 2 Location Under Control, Despite City's Denial A Second Mexican City Says Fyre Fest 2 Isn't Happening There Fyre Fest II Announces Allegedly Real Date, Allegedly Real Location, and Allegedly Real Tickets 'The event has been postponed and a new date will be announced,' the message read. 'We have issued you a refund. Once the new date is announced, at that time, you can repurchase if it works for your schedule.' The exact reasons for the postponement are unclear, and a rep for the fest did not immediately return a request for comment. Fyre Fest 2 was supposed to take place May 30 to June 2 on Isla Mujeres in Mexico, with tickets going on sale in February (despite pushback from local officials). The sequel to the disastrous 2017 festival — which landed founder and organizer Billy McFarland in prison on fraud charges — was set to offer attendees 'boundary-pushing excursions by day' and 'intimate beach-side performances at night.' The lineup was set to feature 'international and local talent,' but no artists were ever announced. McFarland previously pleaded guilty to fraud charges related to the disastrous first Fyre Festival and was released from prison in 2022 after serving less than four years. Unfazed by his punishment, McFarland announced Fyre Fest 2 in August 2023, putting tickets on sale to gullible festivalgoers before he even detailed the date, location, or lineup. 'Guys, this is your chance to get in,' McFarland said at the end of the clip. 'This is everything I've been working towards — let's fucking go.' The 2023 sequel did not happen, obviously. Then, earlier this year, McFarland reemerged with vague plans for a 2025 Fyre Fest 2, this time with a date and potential locations in Mexico: Isla Mujeres — whose tourist board denied the fest was happening there, and Playa Del Carmen, whose government also said that no Fyre Fest 2 was planned. Yet, tickets again went on sale, with 'Ignite' and 'Fuego' packages ranging from $1,100 to $5,000 (neither provided airfare or accommodations; 'There are dozens of hotels and many rental villas available in Playa Del Carmen,' organizers suggested), while the 'Phoenix' package was priced at $25,000. McFarland claimed that the event had 1,800 confirmed guests and that its lineup would feature rappers, DJs, pilots, creators, and athletes, but did not share who would actually be attending. 'I'm sure many people think I'm crazy for doing this again,' McFarland said at the time. 'But I feel I'd be crazy not to do it again. After years of reflection and now thoughtful planning, the new team and I have amazing plans for Fyre 2.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
The Independent
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Fyre Festival 2 postponed just weeks ahead of scheduled kick-off date
Fyre Festival 2 has been postponed indefinitely by its organiser, convicted fraudster Billy McFarland, just over a month ahead of its scheduled kick-off date. McFarland has been attempting to orchestrate a more successful version of the initial Fyre Festival, the notorious event that went viral in 2017 after guests who had paid thousands of dollars for tickets ended up stranded in the Bahamas with limited food and shelter, and none of the promised headliners. However, the new festival, which was supposed to take place on the Isla Mujeres, Mexico, between 30 May to 2 June, has now been indefinitely postponed, with ticket-holders informed that they had been issued refunds. 'The event has been postponed and a new date will be announced,' a message sent to a ticket-holder and seen by ABC News said. 'We have issued you a refund. Once the new date is announced, at that time, you can repurchase if it works for your schedule.' Tickets for Fyre Festival 2, which was marketed under the slogan 'FYRE Festival 2 is real', went on sale in February at a starting fee of $1,400 and up to $25,000, while premium packages were also being sold for as much as $1.1m. At the time, McFarland said a statement, 'I'm sure many people think I'm crazy for doing this again. But I feel I'd be crazy not to do it again.' 'After years of reflection and now thoughtful planning, the new team and I have amazing plans for FYRE 2,' he added. As with the doomed original event, McFarland's festival promised an 'electrifying celebration of music, arts, cuisine, comedy, fashion, gaming, sports, and treasure hunting — all set in the stunning location of Isla Mujeres, Mexico'. 'Experience unforgettable performances, immersive experiences, and an atmosphere that redefines creativity and culture,' the festival's website said. Leading up to the festival, Mexico officials with the Quintana Roo Tourism Department and the Playa Del Carmen government said 'no event of that name' was to be held there. Bernardo Cueto, tourism secretary of the State of Quintana Roo, where Isla Mujeres is located, told ABC News that his agency was responsible for handing out permissions for events of this kind. However, Fyre Fest 2 was not something he was informed about, he said, nor was an event by that name happening in Playa del Carmen or Isla Mujeres. On 4 April, McFarland shared a timeline of apparent conversations with the government of Playa Del Carmen to the festival's Instagram account, including screenshots of purported conversations and permits. 'All media reports suggesting our team has not been working with the government of PDC are simply inaccurate and based on misinformation,' he said. 'FYRE has operated as a good partner with PDC government and has followed the proper processes and procedures to lawfully host an event.' Eagle-eyed followers then pointed out that the terms of the permits McFarland had posted limited the event to 250 attendees max, far below his proposed 1,800 guests, and also limited the event of 12 hours of music across the weekend with a noise limit of 100 decibels. The festival had yet to announce a lineup but McFarland told the Today programme: 'We're going to have artists across electronic, hip hop, pop and rock. However, it's not just music. We might have a professional skateboarder do a demonstration. We might have an MMA champion teach you techniques in the morning.' Electronic producer and DJ deadmau5 has responded to the news of the event's postponement, sharing a screenshot of the announcement on his Instagram account along with the caption: 'Well that sucks'. McFarland served four years of a six-year sentence in prison after being convicted of wire fraud in connection with the failed 2017 festival.
