Woodstock 50 has been canceled — again
![Woodstock 50.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XUmDHanRGYXRp9vQwzAzvD-415-80.png)
The organizers of Woodstock 50 are officially calling it quits.
The music festival, which was to take place next month to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original Woodstock, has been canceled, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter reported on Wednesday.
"We are saddened that a series of unforeseen setbacks has made it impossible to put on the Festival we imagined with the great line-up we had booked and the social engagement we were anticipating," co-founder Michael Lang said in a statement, per the Reporter.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The event was already thought to be off months ago when in April its financial partner pulled out and announced it was canceled. But the organizers shortly came out and insisted it would still take place, though they would later have to scramble for a new location and end up relocating from New York to a smaller venue in Maryland. Although Jay-Z and Miley Cyrus were among the artists set to perform, they recently dropped out after being released from their contracts.
Tickets for Woodstock 50 had also still not gone on sale despite it being meant to take place in just more than two weeks on August 16, only increasing speculation that it would never actually come to pass; it was recently reported that it would go on but that tickets would now be free. But it's off entirely now, for real this time, with Variety reporting that vendors and stakeholders were informed earlier today.
"We thank the artists, fans and partners who stood by us even in the face of adversity," Lang said, while the Merriweather Post Pavilion's operator tried to look on the bright side by saying per the Reporter that "hopefully, with plenty of time to prepare, Merriweather will become the site of a future festival that captures the original vibe."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
Engel Ayurpura: a boutique Ayurveda retreat in the Dolomites
The Week Recommends The tranquil Italian hideaway offers an array of specially tailored wellness programmes
By Ann Lee Published
-
Sing Sing review: prison drama bursts with 'charm, energy and optimism'
The Week Recommends Colman Domingo plays a real-life prisoner in a performance likely to be an Oscars shoo-in
By The Week UK Published
-
China-Africa summit 2024: the tactics on both sides
The Explainer African nations seek more flexible approach from Beijing to relieve crippling 'debt distress'
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published