Fyre Festival 2 tickets on sale eight years after original event left partygoers stranded
"I'd be crazy not to do it again" says organiser Billy McFarland, who served four years in prison for his role in organising the last festival.
Billy McFarland, the promoter behind the infamous Fyre Festival, has announced a sequel to the 2017 disaster. Dubbed Fyre Festival 2, the event is set to take place from May 30 to June 2, 2025, on Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
The original Fyre Festival, marketed as a luxury experience, is a case study in hype. Attendees, lured by slick influencer campaigns and glossy promises of high-end accommodations, arrived in the Bahamas only to find rain-soaked tents, meagre cheese sandwiches, and few options for leaving or finding alternative accommodation.
McFarland’s role in the fiasco landed him a six-year prison sentence for fraud. He was released in 2022, having served just under four years.
Undeterred by his past misadventures, McFarland is once again extending an invitation to adventure seekers, urging them to "help make history" by participating in this new venture.
“I’m sure many people think I’m crazy for doing this again. But I feel I’d be crazy not to do it again,” said McFarland in a press release he shared on X.
“After years of reflection and now thoughts and planning, the new team and I have amazing plans for FYRE 2.”
Produced by live event company Lostnights, Fyre Festival II claims to offer “world-class accommodations” and “boundary-pushing excursions.” It teases daytime adventures, international and local talent, and beachside performances at night.
“FYRE Festival 2 is an electrifying celebration of music, arts, cuisine, comedy, fashion, gaming, sports, and treasure hunting,” the website gushes.
The lineup remains unannounced.
Tickets for the event are priced at several tiers ranging from a general access at $1,400 to the extravagant "Prometheus" pass at a staggering $1.1 million.
The most expensive tier supposedly grants an ultra-exclusive experience, though details remain vague. For most tickets, accommodations are not included, though the event said it has several hotel partners.
The festival’s terms and conditions emphasize that all ticket sales are final, no refunds will be issued, and the festival reserves the right to change or cancel the event at its discretion.
The 2017 Fyre Festival, co-founded by McFarland and rapper Ja Rule, was originally intended as a high-profile marketing stunt for their talent booking app, Fyre. The event was heavily promoted by influencers, including Kendall Jenner, Hailey Baldwin, and Bella Hadid, many of whom failed to disclose their paid sponsorships.
The festival was supposed to take place on a private Bahamian island, falsely advertised as having once belonged to Pablo Escobar. In reality, it was hastily moved to Great Exuma, where infrastructure was inadequate to host the event. Performers backed out, accommodations consisted of disaster relief tents, and food amounted to packaged sandwiches.
Heavy rainfall soaked the mattresses meant for use by attendees and many were left stranded waiting for flights home.
The fallout was swift. McFarland pleaded guilty to fraud, and admitted he fabricated financial statements to secure investment.
But he has been plotting a resurrection of the event since at least 2023. Despite the wreckage of Fyre Festival 1.0, McFarland has managed to sell out 100 presale tickets at $499 each in August 2023. In September 2024, he confirmed plans for the festival would go ahead in 2025.
Whether its sequel will be redemption or repetition remains to be seen.
Further Reading
FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened – A gripping documentary on the disastrous Fyre Festival, featuring behind-the-scenes footage and firsthand accounts from attendees and organisers. Netflix
Fyre Fraud – A deep dive into the scam behind Fyre Festival, focusing on Billy McFarland's fraud and the power of influencer marketing. Hulu
The Role of Influencers in the Fyre Festival Fiasco – Analyses how social media influencers contributed to the hype and ultimate downfall of the festival. Wired
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