Concern over the extremely publicized return of the fraudulent Fyre Competition is mounting after the federal government of the Mexican island the place this 12 months’s music occasion is meant to happen issued a press release this week saying organizers haven’t requested permits.
Billy McFarland, creator of the disastrous 2017 Fyre Competition, which scammed folks out of hundreds of {dollars}, was sentenced to 6 years of jail time for his monetary crimes, although he solely served about 4 years from 2018 to 2022.
“I’m sure many people think I’m crazy for doing this again,” McFarland mentioned Monday in a press release. “But I’d feel crazy not to do it again. After years of reflection and thoughtful planning, the new team and I have amazing plans for FYRE 2.”
The three-day music and humanities occasion is scheduled to happen on Isla Mujeres, Mexico, between Might 30 and June 2, however the authorities of Isla Mujeres doesn’t appear so certain.
“Due to information circulating in the media regarding the ‘FYRE FESTIVAL II,’ the General Directorate of Tourism of Isla Mujeres informs that no person or company has requested permits from this office or any other Municipal Government department for said event,” the Isla Mujeres authorities posted in a Feb. 26 assertion on its Fb web page.
Edgar Gasca, from the tourism directorate of Isla Mujeres, advised The Guardian that Isla Mujeres leaders “have no knowledge of this event, nor contact with any person or company about it.”
The unique 2017 Fyre Fest promised big-name music acts together with Blink 182, Migos and different artists; superstar mannequin attendees together with the Hadid sisters and Emily Ratajkowski; luxurious lodging; and positive meals, with tickets starting from $1,200 to over $100,000.
In the end, nevertheless, the pageant failed and went viral on social media after Hulu and Netflix revealed documentaries concerning the failed seaside bash, making the #fyrefraud hashtag go viral on the time.
A photograph of a meal on the fest — particularly, a shabby sandwich on white bread thrown collectively in a Styrofoam field — additionally went viral, showcasing one small a part of the bigger rip-off that was the unique Fyre Fest eight years in the past.
The pageant reached a settlement with 277 ticket holders in 2021, when it was ordered to pay every recipient an award of $7,220.
Mark Breen, strategic director at Secure Occasions International, advised Fox Information Digital that it’s “of course possible that Fyre Festival 2 can succeed where Fyre Festival 1 failed so dismally.”
“In order for that to happen, though, Billy will have to do what he did acknowledge at the time he didn’t do, and should have done, for Fyre Festival 1 — he needs to actually involve proven experienced event and festival professionals, who have delivered events and festivals at this scale before,” Breen mentioned. “If he does that, there’s no reason his stated vision for Fyre Festival 2 can’t actually be realized. Whether he actually does it though remains to be seen.”
Tickets for Fyre Fest 2 vary from $1,400 to greater than $1 million.
The $1 million ticket consists of personal air journey from Miami to Cancun and personal yacht journey from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.
Lodging for this ticket embody a four-stateroom yacht or four-bedroom villa with entry to the pageant grounds for 3 nights.
It additionally grants pageant entry over 4 days to eight folks.
Fyre Fest has not formally named any music acts, nevertheless it does promise “an electrifying celebration of music, arts, cuisine, comedy, fashion, gaming, sports, and treasure hunting — all set in the stunning location of Isla Mujeres, Mexico.”
In a video posted to X on Tuesday, McFarland laid out seven totally different guarantees for the returning occasion, the primary being, “Fyre 2 is real.”
“Second, we have incredible partners leading the festival. They’re in charge of all the logistics, productions and operations. This includes an incredible production team in Mexico who does not F around. There is no way they would ever take on a fake festival. Three, we have accommodations. Naturally, this is a huge point of emphasis given the issues surrounding Fyre 1. Our accommodations include contracts with a number of villas, yachts and hotels,” McFarland mentioned within the video.
He defined that Fyre Fest 2 has booked “artists, athletes and performers” and guarantees that “restitution is being paid.”
“Since being released 30 months ago, I’ve made 40 payments to restitution,” McFarland mentioned. “I’ve also made it my mission to do more than legally required. Part of this is giving part of Fyre 2’s budget and profits directly to restitution.”
He added that he and his companions have communicated with “local and state government to ensure full compliance and a successful event that benefits the local economy, shares the beauty of the Mexican Caribbean with the world and helps make right for all of the wrongs.”
Attendees can anticipate future updates concerning the pageant to come back straight from McFarland himself, he mentioned.
