Organizers of the highly anticipated Woodstock 50 are arguing over whether the festival will go on or not.
While Woodstock fans geared up to buy their tickets to this year’s 50th anniversary celebration of the music festival, “Billboard” reports that organizers have released a statement saying, “We don’t believe the production of the festival can be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name.”
Officials with Dentsu Aegis Network continued on to say, “It’s a dream for agencies to work with iconic brands and to be associated with meaningful movements. 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 finishes with, “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.”
According to the Poughkeepsie Journal, "organizers for the 2019 Woodstock festival say this is false and the concert will be held." "Woodstock 50 vehemently denies the festival's cancellation and legal remedy will (be) sought," a statement from Woodstock 50 said.
Tickets were supposed to go on sale last Monday, but at that time organizers insisted the festival was not in jeopardy despite the delay.
Woodstock 50 was scheduled for August 16th–18th at the Watkins Glen International Speedway in upstate New York. The Killers, Miley Cyrus, Santana, Chance the Rapper, Jay-Z, Imagine Dragons and Greta Van Fleet were among the artists scheduled to perform.
According to "Billboard," reps from the festival have revealed that funding, capacity concerns, and venue readiness were all issues that led to the event's cancelation.