The investors and organizers behind Woodstock 50 appear to be on two completely different pages.
On Monday (April 29), the music festival's financial agent announced that the highly-anticipated Woodstock 50th Anniversary Music Festival, which was scheduled take place from August 16-18 in Watkins Glen, New York, had been canceled. Additionally, the county where the event was set to be held said it was preparing to move on without it on the summer schedule, Poughkeepsie Journal reports.
However, shortly after the news began making its rounds on across media outlets, the festival's organizers spoke out claiming the three-day fest was still on. "Woodstock 50 vehemently denies the festival’s cancellation and legal remedy will (be) sought," the organizers said in a statement to the Poughkeepsie Journal.
As previously reported, Dentsu Aegis Network, the company that funded the festival, put out a statement earlier in the day saying the festival was canceled. "It’s a dream for agencies to work with iconic brands and to be associated with meaningful movements," read their statement to Billboard. "We have a strong history of producing experiences that bring people together around common interests and causes which is why we chose to be a part of the Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival. But despite our tremendous investment of time, effort and commitment, 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."
The statement continued, "As a result and after careful consideration, Dentsu Aegis Network’s Amplifi Live, a partner of Woodstock 50, has decided to cancel the festival. As difficult as it is, we believe this is the most prudent decision for all parties involved."
As fans know, Woodstock 50 was meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original 1969 Woodstock with three days of peace, love, and music. The music festival's cancellation came after payments to participating artists were delayed and ticket sales to concertgoers were also delayed (and never actually happened).
The lineup was set to include JAY-Z, the Killers, Chance the Rapper, Halsey, Miley Cyrus, and many others.
Photo: Getty Images