WOODSTOCK 50 CANCELED – OR NOT?

The Woodstock 50 music festival has been canceled according to Dentsu Aegis Network, the company funding the festival. In a statement issued on Monday, they said in part: “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.”

The venue’s capacity, site readiness and permit issues led to the cancellation, according to reps for the festival. More than $30 million was spent on the lineup, according to Billboard. Miley Cyrus, Jay-Z, Halsey and Janelle Monae were just some of the acts scheduled to perform. Santana, Dead & Company, Chance the Rapper, The Black Keys, Sturgill Simpson, Imagine Dragons, Halsey, Cage the Elephant, Janelle Monae, Common, Portugal. The Man, Vince Staples and many more also were scheduled to perform in Watkins Glen, New York, from August 16-18.

However, organizers say the August event is still on. Organizers responded to Dentsu Aegis Network’s statement through a representative. “Woodstock 50 vehemently denies the festival’s cancellation and legal remedy will [be] sought,” they told USA Today. Woodstock 50 was first announced in March. Tickets for the festival never went on sale. A planned Earth Day ticket sales event was postponed over reported permit issues.