Tickets go on sale for Fyre Festival 2
Fyre Festival 2 is “becoming a reality”, claims founder Billy McFarland, after tickets for a planned sequel to the notorious event went on sale.
The inaugural edition was slated to run in 2017 in Grand Exuma in the Bahamas with the promise of luxury accommodation, gourmet food and music. But it spectacularly collapsed on its first day when ticket-holders arrived to find half-built tents, a dearth of performers and insufficient food.
McFarland was jailed in 2018 and fined $26 million for his part in the debacle after admitting defrauding investors and running a fraudulent ticketing scam, while Fyre was immortalised in two documentaries – Hulu’s Fyre Fraud and Netflix’s Fyre: The Greatest Party that Never Happened.
But the disgraced 33-year-old entrepreneur has today (24 February) unveiled Fyre 2 for Isla Mujeres, Mexico, from 30 May to 2 June. A total of 2,000 tickets have gone on sale, priced from US$1,400 (€1,340) to $1.1m (€1.05m).
“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,” says McFarland. “After years of reflection and now thoughtful planning, the new team and I have amazing plans for Fyre 2. The adventure seekers who trust the vision and take the leap will help make history. Thank you to my partners for the second chance.”
“Fyre 2 really isn’t about the past, and it’s not really about me. It’s about taking the vision, which is strong”
Unlike the original, McFarland is linking up with established Mexican live event producer Lostnights on the festival. While the sequel was initially announced for 25 April, McFarland says: “We just need the extra month to give our partner time to get everything ready.”
“Fyre 2 is real. My dream is finally becoming a reality,” he told US morning TV show Today. “Fyre 2 really isn’t about the past, and it’s not really about me. It’s about taking the vision, which is strong.
“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.”
McFarland, who is unsure whether he will be able to attend the event in person due to travel restrictions imposed on him, said artists would be announced over the next few months.
“I think what makes Fyre so cool is that we are selling the experience of Fyre,” he continued. “I want to be one of the first festivals that can sell out with no artists.”
“You’re taking a risk because I made a lot of bad decisions and messed up the first festival”
Asked whether A-list acts would be involved, he said he was not involved in booking the lineup, but added: “I really hope so and I expect so from our conversations.”
He did concede, however, that there was risk involved for those buying tickets.
“It’s 2,000 people taking the risk, seeking the adventure, and wanting to be there for the moment,” he said. “I think it’s always a risk. You’re taking a risk because I made a lot of bad decisions and messed up the first festival. Until it’s experienced, there is a risk component to it.”
McFarland and his partners have pledged that a minimum of $500,000 from the festival and 10% of profits would go towards the $26m in restitution that he still owed.
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