The troubled Woodstock 50 looks set to go ahead, but needs to raise some funds rather quickly if it has any hopes of being successful.
For the last few weeks, the forthcoming 50th anniversary of the iconic Woodstock festival has been facing an uncertain future.
Headlined by the likes of The Killers, Jay-Z, and Dead & Company, along with a handful of acts that performed at the original event five decades earlier, the festival was also set to feature just two Aussie acts – Courtney Barnett and Brian Cadd.
Unfortunately, following criticism by fans for what was called a rather weak lineup, rumours of a cancellation began to circulate after the ticket on-sale date was pushed back.
Soon, the cancellation was confirmed, with Dentsu Aegis Network, the festival’s core investor, revealing to Billboard that they “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.”
Woodstock 50 co-founder Michael Lang disputed this however, noting that Dentsu “don’t have a right to cancel it”, while assuring prospective attendees that “Woodstock 50 will take place and will be a blast.”
While Lang later claimed that Dentsu “pillaged” almost $18 million in funds, the entire matter recently went before a US court, with Woodstock 50 organisers claiming that Dentsu violated an agreement by announcing the cancellation of the event.
Check out The Who at Woodstock:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F03a-EYvifU
Now, as Rolling Stone reports, Michael Lang and Woodstock 50 have been successful, with a judge declaring that the festival may go ahead as planned.
However, the festival might still be in a bit of trouble, with Judge Barry Ostrager noting that Woodstock 50 “falls woefully short of making the heightened showing necessary to warrant a mandatory injunction ordering [Dentsu subsidiary] Amplifi to return $17.8 million to the Festival Bank.”
“Woodstock 50 is on,” explained Woodstock organiser Gregory Peck. “We can’t wait to bring this important event to the public this summer.”
“We have one of the greatest lineups of talent of any music festival, and we are grateful to all of the talent for their loyalty and support.”
“We have always relied on the truth and have never lost faith that the Festival would take place,” added co-founder Michael Lang.
“I would like to thank all of the talent and their representatives for their patience and support. Woodstock 50 will be an amazing and inspiring festival experience.”
Of course, it remains to be seen whether or not the festival will indeed end up going ahead as planned, but with three months to go until the kick-off, organisers may want to start sending the collection plate around the office.
Check out Jefferson Airplane at Woodstock:
