The future of Woodstock 50 remains in the balance, after organisers have issued a conflicting statement regarding this year’s event.
Just last month, it was revealed that the 50th anniversary of the iconic Woodstock festival was set to be celebrated with a brand new event.
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.
However, following rumours of cancellation following the on-sale date for tickets being pushed back, Dentsu Aegis Network, the festival’s core investor, revealed yesterday that Woodstock 50 was cancelled.
“It’s a dream for agencies to work with iconic brands and to be associated with meaningful movements,” Dentsu shared in a statement via 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.”
“As a result and after careful consideration, Dentsu Aegis Network’s Amplifi Live, a partner of Woodstock 50, has decided to cancel the festival,” they concluded. “As difficult as it is, we believe this is the most prudent decision for all parties involved.”
While the news was met with a mixture of shock and ambivalence by already-underwhelmed onlookers, the festival’s organisers have now issued an opposing statement, indicating that the festival might still be on.
Check out The Who at Woodstock:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F03a-EYvifU
In a statement offered up to prospective concertgoers (via Rolling Stone), organiser Michael Lang explained that the festival hopes to continue, and that the current roadblocks are reminiscent of the original event’s myriad of issues.
“It seems in a way that history is repeating itself,” Lang began. “In July of 1969 we lost our site in Walkill and with only a month to go we managed to move to Bethel. Woodstock was going to happen no matter what!”
“Yesterday, our financial partner, Dentsu-Aegis, made the decision to pull out and informed us that they were cancelling the festival at the same time they let the press release go public.”
“We have yet to understand why they would try to prevent the festival from happening by seemingly undermining us in this way,” he continued. “It is one thing to decide for oneself that it is best to move on, but it is entirely another thing to try and close the door on us.”
“Yesterday, I couldn’t help but relive that moment 50 years ago – it was “déjà vu all over again”!”
“Woodstock never belonged to Dentsu, so they don’t have a right to cancel it,” he concluded. “Woodstock belongs to the people and it always will. We don’t give up and Woodstock 50 will take place and will be a blast!”
While this news tends to indicate that Woodstock 50 aims to find a new financial backer, there’s no word yet when or if tickets will eventually go on sale, and if the promised lineup will take place as originally planned.
Whatever the case, we’ll see what the future holds for Woodstock 50.
Check out Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwIymq0iTsw
