Entertainmentukmusicuk music festivalsExuma

Fyre Festival Branded A ‘Disaster’ As Luxury Event Pretty Much Descends Into Chaos

A representative for Major Lazer declined to comment on whether Diplo and co will perform as planned.
Open Image Modal
By 

Reporter

|

*UPDATE*: Fyre Festival has, perhaps unsurprisingly, been postponed. 

*UPDATE 2*: The official Twitter account for The Bahamas islands has posted a statement. 

If you’ve had a bad week at the office then fear not, as we have definitive proof that things could be worse: Enter Fyre Festival.

The “luxury music festival” was co-organised by Ja Rule, and tickets - which cost up to $12,000 - included flights on “Custom-branded Boeing 737s” from Miami and accommodation in a fancy-sounding “geodesic domes”.

The plan was that revellers would currently be partying on the Exumas Islands, with acts including Blink-182, Skepta and Major Lazer scheduled to perform.

Unfortunately, things haven’t exactly gone to plan.

In a move that appeared foreshadow the events of the past 24 hours, Blink-182 announced that they would not be performing on Thursday (27 April). 

Since the doors at the festival opened, a number of Twitter users have documented their experiences, and to be honest, we’re going to just let the posts from the event - especially William N. Finley IV’s - do the talking:

The festival’s organisers have shared an update on Instagram, explaining that “things got off to an unexpected start at day one”, adding that ticket holders who are yet to make their way to the island will not be able to travel there.

The caption underneath a pain orange Instagram post reads: “FOR THOSE CURRENTLY ON GREAT EXUMA: We are working to comfortably accommodate guests and deliver a great experience. If you have needs, please head to the “BLUE HOUSE” on the main festival site. Security, first aid, and Fyre Festival staff are here to assist immediately, 24/7.

“FOR THOSE WITH PENDING TRAVEL TO THE EXUMAS TOMORROW: Due to circumstances beyond our control, and in line with a culture of safety, all inbound charter flights to the Exumas have been canceled. Your ticket and any funds uploaded to your RFID band will be refunded.

“Thank you for bearing with us as we work through the growing pains that every first year event experiences. Revised itinerary information will be shared soon for the remainder of this weekend and weekend two.”

A second Fyre event is scheduled to take place next weekend. HuffPost UK has contacted a representative for Fyre Festival for comment (and to find out if the second weekend will go ahead).

We’ve also contacted representatives for a handful of acts scheduled to play, to find out whether they will be taking to the stage at either weekend. 

A spokesperson for Major Lazer declined to comment on the matter. 

Extraordinary Festivals Around the World
Chalk It Up to Talent(01 of12)
Open Image Modal
Beautiful but fleeting these sidewalk masterpieces last just a few days before nature, pedestrians, or cleaning crews wash them away. Now in it’s 20th year, the Pasadena Chalk Festival hosts artists who compete in categories that range from “Best 3-D Effect” to “Best Rendering of a Masterpiece.” See all Extraordinary Festivals on Trippy.comPhoto credit: Bullet Salvador
You Say Tomato...(02 of12)
Open Image Modal
Now that’s going to leave a stain! It may only last an hour but this festival in which participants throw tomatoes at each other leaves enough of an impression that local shopkeepers wrap their storefronts in plastic in preparation. If you go, make sure to bring old clothes because there’s no chance of you ever being able to wear them again. See all Extraordinary Festivals on Trippy.comPhoto credit: David McEvoy
Awash With Color!(03 of12)
Open Image Modal
You’ll need to bring both a sense of fun and a set of old clothes to this colorful early spring festival in which participants douse each other with vibrant colored powder. Celebrating, in part, the end of the winter season, revelers also sprinkle each other with scented water. See all Extraordinary Festivals on Trippy.comPhoto credit: THUY
The Other Side(04 of12)
Open Image Modal
This vibrant, reverent festival is perhaps best-known as a Mexican tradition, but in fact, exists all over the world. A day when the living pay tribute to friends and relatives who have passed away, it’s very much a celebration of life and reminder of all they were on earth. See all Extraordinary Festivals on Trippy.comPhoto credit: Fer Mirabelli
Sheep Happens(05 of12)
Open Image Modal
Celebrating the migration of sheep from the north to the south of this state, this festival offers everything from knitting classes to a “Lamb Dine Around” in which lamb is the featured dish of local restaurants. The event features some great activities for kids, too, like cheese-making and sheep shearing demonstrations. See where this Extraordinary Festival is on Trippy!Photo credit: Greg Harness
Make Lemonade Out of Lemons(06 of12)
Open Image Modal
Now nearing its 80th year, this celebration of all things citrus takes place in late winter due to its location in a mild and unbelievably scenic part of the world. The parade themes here have ranged from “Signs of the Zodiac” to “Lemons Without Borders.” See where this Extraordinary Festival is on Trippy!
Monkeying Around(07 of12)
Open Image Modal
Bet you’ve never been to a tea party like this. At this festival local monkeys are feted with offerings of fruits and eggs by locals who hope the gesture will bring them good luck. If you go, keep in mind that the monkeys are known for helping themselves to things other than food, like expensive cameras and sunglasses. See where this Extraordinary Festival is on Trippy!Photo credit: Chris Gusen
Light Up the Sky!(08 of12)
Open Image Modal
Once used by farm workers to send signals to their families in nearby towns, the lanterns at this stunning festival are now considered symbols of peace and prosperity. Combining the traditional with the modern, the festival now includes an enormous fireworks display as well as electromechanical lanterns. See where this Extraordinary Festival is on Trippy!Photo credit by: Make a Wish
Bloomin' Beautiful!(09 of12)
Open Image Modal
It’s estimated that roughly two million people come to marvel at the snow and ice sculptures constructed at this annual event. Amazingly, local legend has it that the impetus for this festival was the creation of six snow sculptures created by high school students in 1950. See where this Extraordinary Festival is on Trippy!Photo credit: Frank Gong
Snowed Under(10 of12)
Open Image Modal
It’s estimated that roughly two million people come to marvel at the snow and ice sculptures constructed at this annual event. Amazingly, local legend has it that the impetus for this festival was the creation of six snow sculptures created by high school students in 1950. See all Extraordinary Festivals on Trippy.comPhoto credit: Frank Gong
For Whom the Beard Tolls(11 of12)
Open Image Modal
Held for the area’s most famous literary resident, events at this festival include readings, look-alike contests and a mock “Running of the Bulls.” If you happen to look like the celebrated scribe and want to enter the contest, be forewarned; last year’s competition garnered 120 participants. See all Extraordinary Festivals on Trippy.comPhoto credit: Donna S. McCraw (luv2run on Flickr)
The Sands of Time(12 of12)
Open Image Modal
Only 10 years old, this festival attracted over 140,000 visitors last year, not to mention competitors from all over the world. If you plan on competing, take note that the theme for 2013 is “The Wild West.” See all Extraordinary Festivals on Trippy.comPhoto credit: Steen Jeppesen
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip