Woodstock 50 organizers are denying the event is canceled despite investor statements otherwise

Woodstock poster.
(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter)

Did Woodstock 50 just pull a Fyre Festival? It depends on who you ask.

Dentsu Aegis, a company that had been investing in the three-day music festival planned for August, told Billboard on Monday that it has been canceled because "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."

Billboard also cited representatives for the festival as saying issues leading to its cancellation include capacity, site readiness, and permitting issues. Variety backs up this report, writing that the site "could not accommodate the 100,000-plus audience that had originally been anticipated" and that the "necessary permits had not yet been obtained."

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Despite this, a statement from Woodstock 50 provided to the Poughkeepsie Journal on Monday reads, "Woodstock 50 vehemently denies the festival's cancellation and legal remedy will (be) sought." Organizers also said in a statement to Vulture that they are "currently on a call with Dentsu" over the comments.

Woodstock 50 was to take place in Watkins Glen, New York in August and commemorate the original festival's 50th anniversary. Some of the artists who have been lined up include Jay-Z, Miley Cyrus, Robert Plant, Common, The Lumineers, and Chance the Rapper. Tickets were set to go on sale a week ago, but this was delayed as the festival said it would "refine logistical plans."

So is it happening, or not? It sure doesn't sound like it, especially after Tim O'Hearn, Schuyler County administrator, confirmed its cancellation to NPR. If the festival really is off and those Fyre Festival comparisons are apt, don't be surprised to see all this confusion explored in eventual dueling Netflix and Hulu documentaries.

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.