Latest news with #FyreFestival
Axios
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
Roots Picnic won't issue refunds after long delays and safety concerns
The Roots Picnic will not be giving out refunds for this year's festival after Saturday's three-hour delay in opening led to long lines, organizers told Axios on Monday. Why it matters: Hundreds, "if not thousands," of concertgoers were expected to demand their money back, a Mann Center staffer working the event told Axios last weekend. The big picture: Roots Picnic serves as a mecca of Philly's Black musical and cultural contributions, headlined by some of the region's most popular artists since 2008. But some upset attendees have compared their experience at last weekend's event to the disastrous Fyre Festival. Driving the news: The festival told Axios in a statement that no refunds would be issued because the "rain or shine event" was still "able to deliver a full day of artist performances and programming." It comes after outraged festivalgoers took to social media to list their grievances, from long waits without access to bathrooms and water stations to complaints that the grounds were difficult to navigate for people with disabilities. Following Saturday's weather delay, the festival was slow to communicate the new schedule and then posted the wrong one, sparking confusion among attendees about which artist was on when. Plus: Some festivalgoers said they witnessed people faint while waiting to get into the event at the Mann Center, and long waits for paramedics to provide care. What they're saying: At least 57 people received care during the festival, but large crowds made it challenging for paramedics to immediately reach people who needed attention, Rachel Cunningham, a spokesperson for Philadelphia's Fire Department, which staffed EMS at the event, told Axios. The Mann Center and Live Nation Urban didn't immediately respond to Axios' requests for comment. Between the lines: Several people also claimed on social media that they received refunds at the event. The festival didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment on the matter. Catch up quick: The festival posted an apology on Instagram about Saturday's long lines to get into the event, blaming a heavy rainstorm that doused the area for making the "grounds unsafe." The apology's comment section is disabled, but one of the top comments on another post called the festival's crowd control "the most amateur and unprofessional" they've "ever had the misfortune to experience." Roots drummer Questlove said the event was almost canceled, but they decided to forge ahead after taking "extra time to repair the site."
Metro
2 days ago
- Business
- Metro
Fyre Festival launches tropical hotel this summer with $1,500 stays
It's not often that an event synonymous with disaster manages to revive itself continuously, but the Fyre Festival brand has consistently defied expectations. Yesterday, the infamous brand announced the Fyre Hotels experience, scheduled to take place from September 3 to September 10 at the Coral View Utila in Honduras, the Caribbean. According to a new website, the hotel experience stems from the initial 2013 incident that inspired Fyre Festival founder Billy McFarland's original festival: 'A software engineer and hobbyist pilot challenged Billy to leave NYC and to try and fly a small plane from NYC to a remote Caribbean island.' 'Along the way, Billy overshot, ran out of gas, and was saved by a landing strip on a remote island. The magic of the island created a legend that quickly spread back home. These trips grew from a single engine propeller plane with four crazy entrepreneurs to the talent lead and adventure infused trips that became FYRE Festival.' For those not in the know, FYRE Festival was a 2017 luxury music event in the Bahamas that disastrously collapsed. Marketed by influencers and co-founded by Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule, it promised lavish villas, gourmet food, and top artists – but delivered disaster tents, cold sandwiches, and chaos. Attendees were stranded, and the event quickly became a viral scandal, with McFarland later being convicted of fraud and sentenced to six years in prison. The festival sparked multiple lawsuits and became a symbol of social media deception, later chronicled in two popular documentaries. So is this new hotel scheme redemption or just another ruse for McFarland? At this point, it's hard to say for sure. Hotel packages range from $200 (£147) to $500 (£370) a day – making the entire trip cost around $1500 (£1,109) – with packages supposedly including boat excursions, guided snorkelling, beach fitness sessions, kayaking, beach volleyball, nightly entertainment, and beach bonfire parties. The island reached out to the brand specifically. The website states: 'They have tapped FYRE to bring global attention to this off-the-map gem, programming unforgettable experiences, and simply enjoying life at the edge of the reef.' While the original disastrous festival touted a luxury experience, this is intentionally more rustic: 'We're not chasing luxury. We're chasing stories. Our trip is about deep dives, street food, late night bonfires, and waking up to something unexpected. This location is the essence of beauty, energy, and potential for adventure.' The news of the hotel comes shortly after Fyre Festival 2 was officially canceled. It may not have existed at all. The festival was reportedly due to take place in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, from May 30 to June 2. However, the local Playa del Carmen government said there is 'no event of that name' expected to take place in the city, as per The Times. It remains unclear whether he was referring to the new hotel experience when he insisted it was 'all real' on social media. Still, given McFarland's track record, many are skeptical about the brand's new venture. More Trending But Heath Miller, former New York concert promoter and one-time vp and talent buyer at Webster Hall in New York, who reached an agreement with McFarland for the hotel pop-up, is optimistic. He told Billboard: 'This event isn't for an artist looking for a $100,000 fee. Honestly, for me, this is a promotional vehicle for my hotel and it plays into my grand plan — I'm working on writing a book on my music career, and the book was supposed to end last June [with a story about] Jack Antonoff in Asbury Park. But instead, I guess Fyre is going to be the final chapter of the book.' He went on to say that though Fyre Festival has a bad reputation as a brand, it's valuable in its ability to drum up publicity. He added: 'Billy has issues and one of his biggest flaws is that he tends to trust people more than he should,' before going on to explain that he has personally ensured all of the pop-up's permits and other paperwork are in order. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: SXSW London: Five live performances, film showcases and talks you must see MORE: SXSW London: Everything you can expect from festival's inaugural week in the Capital MORE: British rockers step in for Kings Of Leon at upcoming festivals after 'freak accident'
Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inside the 'Fyre Festival of BookTok' as US book festival is shrouded in chaos
A book festival hosted in Baltimore, US has turned into a social media storm as authors have recounted every awful detail of the event - while many claim they were lied to by the event's organiser Traumatised authors, thousands of lost dollars and a missing DJ: welcome to the " Fyre Festival" of BookTok. Over the past weekend, hundreds of authors flocked to Baltimore to attend what should have been the perfect event for fantasy book-lovers. Instead, it transformed into something closer to a horror fic. The A Million Lives book festival was held over May 2 and 3 and set up by Archer Management for fantasy authors and their readers. 'Romantasy' is viral on TikTok, with almost one million posts falling under the hashtag, and includes novels like the bestselling book series Acotar by Sarah J. Maas. Tickets for vendors cost between $50 to $250 (£37 to £186) and promised to be the "perfect event to make bookish friends". One of its most exciting draws was that it also promised a lavender-themed ball. But over the past few days, authors have been running to social media to detail what some are describing as the 'Fyre Festival of book festivals'. Accounts depict an event hall filled with chaos, with minimal staff or identity checks and, most notably, hardly any attendees – despite false promises made by the organiser. One author, Samantha Heil, told Newsweek that there were around 40 attendees on Friday, compared to about 100 authors. Saturday only improved to about 125 people coming to the event. However, this is in stark contrast to how many tickets the owner of Archer Management promised had been sold. Authors claimed online that Grace Marceau, a writer who runs Archer Management, told them personally that between 600 to 1400 tickets had been sold. But the videos showing a near-empty convention hall tell a wildly different story. The Mirror reached out to Archer Management for comment. Stephanie Combs, author of The Stars Would Curse Us, posted a now-viral TikTok, declaring: 'I survived A Million Lives book festival. Or should we call it: a million lies.' She continued: "That is one of my dreams, bucket goal lists. I wanna be invited as an author to an event like this. Where I get to meet readers and get to connect with other authors." However, the experience she was met with was a poorly-organised mess. She explained: 'We had no badges, because they apparently shattered in transit. People were just wandering around because there was no one checking badges or wristbands. It was just very unprofessional.' It also put many authors out of pocket, as those who had travelled long distances had had to pay for both transport and accommodation. Some have even claimed to have wasted 'thousands of dollars' on the event. But the most egregious disappointment was the ball. BookTok authors dressed up in their finest romantic gowns for what they had been told was a black tie event – only to be met with an almost empty ballroom, minimal decoration and no snacks or refreshments save for some cookies. There wasn't even any music. According to one report, the DJ was hospitalised pre-event and they couldn't find a replacement. One attendee came onto TikTok to claim that a security guard had felt sorry for them so he 'brought a shower speaker from his home' that they could use. Grace Marceau took to TikTok on May 5 to apologise to the authors affected. She said, 'I do understand that the ball tonight was not set up to standards. There were a lot of issues getting set up, and it was not set up well…If you would like a refund, please contact me and I will issue a refund immediately.' However, the apology was not enough for many commenters on TikTok, who have labelled the entire event 'a scam.' She failed to address the fact that many of the events participants claimed she lied about ticket numbers. Comments also pointed out that, given the thousands of dollars some authors spent on accommodation and transport, that a refund wasn't enough to cover damages.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Conservative journalist is fired days after Ilhan Omar was filmed telling him to 'F*** off'
A conservative journalist who recently made headlines after being told to 'f*ck off' by Minnesota Rep Ilhan Omar has been fired by The Daily Caller. Reporter Myles Morell was reportedly let go by the right-wing news site Wednesday - days after footage of the exchange outside the Capitol went viral last Thursday. Morell's firing, however, reportedly had little to do with the altercation - instead stemming from his part in organizing a disastrous party that took place two days prior on April 29, according to The Bulwark. The gathering - billed as an 'official celebration' of President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office - was initially slated to be held at the prestigious Kennedy Center. Guests were promised a white-tie event for up to $2,500 a head, as well as the change to rub shoulders with some of DC 's elite including the president himself. Instead, the event was held at a much less glamorous location in Arlington, after the Kennedy Center cancelled the contract and Trump scheduled a rally in Michigan. Instead of issuing refunds, Morell and the other organizer, a Trump supporter who does not work at the Caller, doubled-down, resulting in a flop gathering that has been blasted. One vendor reportedly compared it to the infamous Fyre Festival. Its main attraction appeared to be a man with a puppet who provided entertainment by breakdancing and interviewing the guests who did show. Among those interviewed was Morell's fellow organizer Alysia McMillan, who is heard during the tail-end of the party describing it as 'splendid and spectacular.' 'You ate the most food and drank the most drinks!' she joked to the puppet, who went on to ask what 'inspired' her to hold the event - leading to a rambling, inaudible answer from the MAGA-hat-wearing MC that mentioned the president. 'Why isn't he here?' the puppet proceeded to joke - a pointed dig that left McMillan at a loss for words. Footage of the viral exchange circulating on X - and posted by the official Arlington GOP account - ends there. At another point during the get together - which was supposed to be white-tie but wasn't - McMillan continued to talk it up, insisting 'I'm seeing people dancing around, smiling, having fun.' Arlington GOP chair Matthew Hurtt, however, disagreed, dubbing the celebration as a 'textbook grifter operation' and Morell - who has been noticeably off social media since Monday - an 'archetypal goober.' The Daily Caller News Foundation fired him Wednesday, sources told The Bulwark. When asked about the situation, the publication reportedly declined to comment. Morell - after talking up his encounter with Omar last week on a near-daily basis - has offered only silence on social media since. Another behind the scenes video from the #First100Party sent to us by someone else who is angry for falling for the grift. This is Alysia McMillan being interviewed by a puppet. More people are coming forward to share their experiences. 11/ — Arlington GOP (@goparlington) May 4, 2025 Shannon Getz, a guest who said she paid hundreds of dollars for her ticket, told the Washington Examiner she has filed a police report against the party's organizers. 'Conservative Republicans, you know, we shouldn't stand for this nonsense, this was a grift,' she said. 'This is illegal and this is wrong,' she continued, pointing to Virginia law that states 'untrue, deceptive or misleading advertising, inducements, writings or documents' could warrant charges. Patti Katter, an attendee who paid just under $600 for her ticket, insisted to the Examiner she too was taken advantage of and misled. 'It's not just a matter of moral integrity - misleading consumers with false advertising has legal implications,' Katter said in an interview with the DC outlet. 'Events that promise luxury and high-profile guests but fail to deliver are not only disappointing but also potentially unlawful. 'By speaking out, I'm advocating for transparency and accountability, ensuring that others aren't misled in the future,' she continued 'I thought it looked like a really great event.' Aside from being marketed as an 'official' 100 days party, the event was advertised on a website seemingly modeled after that of the White House. The site has since been deleted, and had stated that 'all ticket sales are final.' Organizers also said the event 'feature an elegant happy hour followed by an exclusive, high-energy party.' Following the venue change, guests were told to BYOB while being promised 'premium drinks.' The Thursday before, Omar did not hold back when Morell asked about Democrats pushing back on Donald Trump's immigration policies - offering a viral response. 'I think you should f*** off,' the Minnesota congresswoman told the journalist after recognizing he was filming, before doubling down on her behavior in a reply to one of Morell's many tweets promoting the exchange immediately after. 'I said what I said. You and all your miserable trolls can f*ck off,' the progressive 'Squad' member tweeted - after Morell wrote, 'Always a pleasure to see you.' The moment has since lived in infamy, receiving millions of views in a matter of days. As for Morell, he is no longer posting - aside from being out of a job. In a statement, he insisted The Bulwark: 'I do not think the party was that bad.' According to Instagram messages viewed by The Bulwark, he had been warned by at least one vendor to call off the party. 'You're charging big money for this thing,' the unnamed man wrote. 'And people won't be getting what they paid for.' The status of Getz's complaint, meanwhile, remains unclear. The White House denied any involvement with the party, which was not associated with the Daily Caller.
New York Post
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Ex Fyre Fest designer says fraudster Billy McFarland, Anna Delvey, Luigi Mangione have one thing in common
The former social media designer for Fyre Festival says social media is fueling the idolization of bad actors and scammers, specifically naming Fyre Festival creator Billy McFarland, notorious scam socialite Anna Delvey Sorokin and UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione as prime examples. Oren Aks spoke with Fox News Digital after Fyre Festival 2, a do-over version of the original Fyre Festival that failed in 2017, was postponed just weeks before it was scheduled to take place in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, between May 30 and June 2. Oren Aks, who was employed with Jerry Media when he did graphic design and social media strategy work for Fyre Festival in 2017, told Fox News Digital that, in the age of social media, the public makes icons out of con artists and criminals like Delvey and Mangione. McFarland is no exception, he said. 'We look at them like they're iconic, like, 'Oh what's she wearing to court?' And … at a certain point, you're just more obsessed with them as this narrative that you've built rather than who they actually are. … If you met Billy, you wouldn't be impressed,' Aks said. Aks added that the public, especially the American public, does not talk about the success stories of millionaire and billionaire business moguls in the same way the public discusses scammers and 'money grubbers,' particularly on social media. 5 Fyre Festival creator Billy McFarland cancelled his attempt to revive the failed music event. AP 'It used to be … this inspirational route you would take in your career to kind of move up a ladder or earn a living and buy a house or something. Now, we vilify those people, and we glorify the bad, the scammy, the evil, and we look at those people as heroes,' Aks said. 'Like style icons or freedom fighters or whatever other imaginary title you want to assign them. And I think … it's very worrying as a societal shift. … Why are we doing this?' Aks added that America has built up the idea 'that you have to fail big to win big, or you have try big to succeed.' 5 The original Fyre Festival made headlines in 2017 for its chaos and disorganization. AP 5 Mitch Purgason attended the first event and paid for a 2-bedroom villa but got a 1-bedroom tent with a soaking wet bed instead. 'And they're almost kind of like this never-ending train wreck. … It's what fuels the internet,' he said. 'That's why people care about this Luigi Mangione guy. In what universe are we living in that this is a relevant story to glorify these people as the image of success? And … there'll be a thousand more. And it's truly an American story.' Aks said he was excited about the Fyre Festival project in 2017 because he had a background working in the music industry and was passionate about music festivals. The event and McFarland promised attendees who paid thousands for tickets a luxurious music festival set in the Bahamas but delivered a glorified campsite on the island instead. 5 The former social media designer for Fyre Festival compared McFarland to Anna Delvey Sorokin and Luigi Mangione. AP There was 'writing on the wall' before the festival began that should have indicated the event would be a disaster, from credit cards bouncing to Fyre Festival's partners being left out of the loop on logistical planning, Aks said. He recalled the moment he knew things were going south. 'When we arrived, the point where it really hit me was actually … going over this hill and kind of descending into the valley where the beach area, where the festival was taking place, and seeing the tents and the actual media center stage area and … nothing was there,' he said. 'In my brain, the logistics didn't work out, but I just assumed that's just not my territory. I'm the graphic designer. I'm sure they've got like an architect or … someone dealing with that. But then I saw the FEMA or the U.N.-style tents, and that was the moment it all hit.' 5 Oren Aks said bad actors like McFarland, Sorokin and Mangione are being idolized for their actions. J Mayer/Shutterstock After the 2017 Fyre Festival's failure, it went viral on social media when Hulu and Netflix published documentaries about the failed beach bash, making the #fyrefraud hashtag and a photo of the strewn-together sandwiches served at the festival go viral at the time. The festival reached a settlement with 277 ticket holders in 2021, when it was ordered to pay each recipient an award of $7,220. Fyre Festival 2 has since been postponed, and McFarland announced this week he is selling the Fyre brand. '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 – to an operator that can fully realize its vision,' McFarland wrote in a statement posted to Instagram Wednesday. McFarland said the Fyre brand 'deserves a team with the scale, experience, and infrastructure to realize its full potential.'
