Woodstock founder Michael Lang has written an open letter emphatically stating that Woodstock 50 is still on — despite a cancellation notice sent by investors.
Yesterday, we covered a letter sent to the media by a lead organizer and investor behind Woodstock 50, Dentsu Aegis Network. No specific reasons for the cancellation were cited in that letter, though rumors suggest the festival has been battling numerous logistical issues.
Now there’s another issue: the organizers themselves are fighting over whether Woodstock 50 is cancelled.
Event cofounder Michael Lang says Woodstock 50 definitely isn’t cancelled.
In the open letter, Lang refers to Dentsu Aegis Network as his “shortsighted partners.” He says Woodstock 50 is still on and says Dentsu basically pulled the rug out from under him.
“Yesterday, our financial partner, Dentsu-Aegis, made the decision to pull out and informed us that they were canceling 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. 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. Woodstock never belonged to Dentsu, so they don’t have a right to cancel it.”
Lang said that not only will Woodstock 50 still take place, but that it will be a blast for attendees.
“Woodstock belongs to the people and it always will,” Lang continued. “We don’t give up and Woodstock 50 will take place and will be a blast!”
Woodstock 50 is supposed to take place August 16th-18th in Watkins Glen, New York. Headliners for the event include Jay-Z, Dead & Company, the Killers, Chance the Rapper, Miley Cyrus and Janelle Monáe. The Black Keys were supposed to appear at Woodstock 50 but pulled out of the show for unknown reasons.
Rumors have suggested that the festival is having trouble in negotiations with local authorities over the capacity of the festival. The Woodstock 50 site is live, but tickets can’t be purchased yet. The land permit issues have postponed ticket sales and pricing availability indefinitely as the organizers have yet to resolve the issue.
Japanese investor Dentsu-Aegis says they saw no way for the festival to continue, so they pulled out. A rep for Dentsu declined to comment on Lang’s newsletter.
Here’s the full letter:
Dear Woodstock Friends
It seems in a way that history is repeating itself. 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!
This time around, Woodstock’s new hometown, Dix & Watkins Glen, NY and New York State have been really wonderful. I went door to door to talk to the neighbors. Some remembered Summer Jam back in ’73 and were worried about history repeating itself. But they opened their doors to us and we talked it out. Many of those people have reached out over the last 24 hours with messages of hope and encouragement.
The venue, Watkins Glen International, have been totally supportive and professional.
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. 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”!
Supporting the principles of activism and sustainability are too important to be derailed by shortsighted partners.
We continue our work with NYS, Schuyler County and various parties to keep things on track.
Woodstock never belonged to Dentsu, so they don’t have a right to cancel it.
Woodstock belongs to the people and it always will.