Current:Home > FinanceBilly McFarland Announces Fyre Festival II Is Officially Happening -MarketLink
Billy McFarland Announces Fyre Festival II Is Officially Happening
Fastexy View
Date:2025-04-10 02:40:35
A new chapter in Fyre Festival's story is coming.
Event organizer Billy McFarland announced on April 9 that the infamous music festival is making a return.
"Fyre Festival II is finally happening," McFarland wrote on Twitter. "Tell me why you should be invited."
As a refresher, in April 2017, McFarland and Ja Rule's co-founded Fyre Festival, which was marketed as a luxurious music event in the Bahamas, became globally famous for all the wrong reasons when festival-goers reported fights over food, robberies, "refugee camp" conditions and difficulties obtaining flights back to the United States.
After the festival's flop, McFarland was arrested and charged for his alleged "connection with a scheme to defraud investors" with his company Fyre Media LLC, prosecutors said at the time, and "a related entity responsible for organizing a music festival."
He later pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud and was sentenced to six years in prison, which he served in part before being released early to a halfway house. He was also ordered to pay investors, vendors and concertgoers $26 million in restitution.
So, how did Twitter users feel about McFarland's April 9 announcement? In response to his tweet, one user wrote, "Tell me why you shouldn't be in jail."
"It's in the best interest of those I owe for me to be working," McFarland replied. "People aren't getting paid back if i sit on the couch and watch tv. and because i served my time."
Meanwhile, a different social media user made it clear they are fond of the idea.
"Greatest comeback since the QR code, I'm here for it," they wrote. "I think if you did a daily / weekly video on finances it would be killer - projected costs, ticket sales, logistics etc Let people buy in to you doing this the right way."
McFarland wrote back, "Love."
While McFarland announced that Fyre Festival II is on the way, the event organizer did not share details on exactly when the festival will be taking place. He did however provide insight on the type of venue: A tropical destination like 2017.
"Going to crush the island version first," McFarland wrote in a separate April 9 tweet, "but @elonmusk Fyre 3 definitely needs to be in space."
But the real question is: Will documentary breakout star Andy King be involved in the remix? The events expert, who went viral for his attempts to secure water for attendees of the original fest, seemingly confirmed his participation by retweeting Billy and saying, "FYRE Festival 2.0 Who's in?? Let's go."
The original festival was postponed on its opening day, April 28, 2017. Per TIME, the decision was announced on the website, reading, "Due to circumstances out of our control, the physical infrastructure was not in place on time and we are unable to fulfill on that vision safely and enjoyably for our guests."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (3311)
Related
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Texas judge to consider pregnant woman’s request for order allowing her to have an abortion
- Vegas shooter who killed 3 was a professor who recently applied for a job at UNLV, AP source says
- Democratic support for Biden ticks up on handling of Israel-Hamas war, AP-NORC poll says
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- AP Election Brief | What to expect in Houston’s mayoral runoff election
- Indonesia ends search for victims of eruption at Mount Marapi volcano that killed 23 climbers
- A sea otter pup found alone in Alaska has a new home at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- US House chair probes ballot shortages that hampered voting in Mississippi’s largest county
Ranking
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- You’ll Be Soaring, Flying After Reading Vanessa Hudgens and Cole Tucker’s Wedding Details
- UN: Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities, worsening humanitarian conditions
- Proposal to create new tier for big-money college sports is just a start, NCAA president says
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Hopes for a Mercosur-EU trade deal fade yet again as leaders meet in Brazil
- A nurse’s fatal last visit to patient’s home renews calls for better safety measures
- Hopes for a Mercosur-EU trade deal fade yet again as leaders meet in Brazil
Recommendation
The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
Wisconsin appeals court upholds decisions denying company permit to build golf course near park
Jamie Dimon on the cryptocurrency industry: I'd close it down
Climate talks shift into high gear. Now words and definitions matter at COP28
New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
Jamie Dimon on the cryptocurrency industry: I'd close it down
Russian schoolgirl shoots several classmates, leaving 1 dead, before killing herself
British poet and political activist Benjamin Zephaniah dies at age 65