Fyre Festival 2 is already starting off on a rough note… again.
Days after tickets went on sale for the festival, which is allegedly taking place on Isla Mujeres, an island off the coast of Mexico, the local tourism board claimed they “have no knowledge of this event.”
Edgar Gasca, with the tourism directorate of Isla Mujeres, told The Guardian last week they have had no “contact with any person or company about” the festival, adding, “For us, this is an event that does not exist.” Permits have also reportedly not been requested for the event.
“This festival is not going to happen. There are red flags all over the place,” Gasca continued. “If you go on their website and take the coordinates they provide, then put them in Google Maps, it takes you to the ocean — between Cancún and Isla Mujeres.”
The announcement of Fyre Festival 2 comes eight years after the original festival ended in a disaster, leaving attendees stranded in the Bahamas and the festival’s founder, Billy McFarland, pleading guilty to fraud.
In response to Isla Mujeres’ tourism board’s comments, McFarland took to his Instagram Tuesday night to defend the festival.
“I figured it would be best to hear directly from me what’s actually happening,” he said. “First, Fyre 2 is real. Second, we have incredible partners leading the festival. They’re in charge of all the logistics, productions and operations. This includes an incredible production team in Mexico who does not f around. There is no way they would ever take on a fake festival.”
McFarland also addressed concerns surrounding accommodations as Gasca told The Guardian that he had spoken to the hotels that Fyre listed on its website and that they all claimed to know nothing about the festival. “The organizers didn’t even bother to approach the authorities,” Gasca said. “It’s very strange, because any manager knows that if you’re going to hold an event, let alone a massive event, you need municipal authorization.”
“I think they thought they would just announce it and see if it got traction, then ask for the permits halfway down the path,” he added. “It’s a bit of a naive way to think.”
However, according to McFarland, “We have accommodations.”
“Naturally, this is a huge point of emphasis given the issues surrounding Fyre 1,” he continued. “Our accommodations include contracts, the number of villas, yachts and hotels. This also includes two hotels who were contacted by the media and in response, gave misleading statements saying they never heard a Fyre and they aren’t working with us. After hearing this, I asked my team to terminate those contracts and to focus on the hotels and other partners who are eager to work with and support Fyre.”
Tickets for Fyre Fest 2 went on sale at the end of February and range from $1,400 to $25,000, as well as a $1 million package. Refundable ticket options have also been guaranteed should the festival be canceled. The festival is set to take place from May 30 to June 2, 2025.
At this point, no talent has been announced for the fest, however, McFarland claimed on Tuesday, “We have talent. Artists, athletes and other performers are on board and scheduled for Fyre 2.”
“My partners and I have remained in communication with local and state government to ensure full compliance and a successful event that benefits the local economy, shares the beauty of the Mexican Caribbean with the world and helps make right for all the wrongs,” McFarland concluded in his video. “Fyre 2 is moving forward and we are moving forward with full integrity. From now on, updates will come directly from me.”
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