Is Fyre Festival II Happening? Organizers Say Yes, Mexican Officials Say No
Billy McFarland, the promoter of the failed Fyre Festival in the Bahamas, leaves federal court after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges, Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in New York. He faces a sentence of 8 to 10 years. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Is Fyre Festival II still happening in Mexico this year? Last September, the American businessman and festival co-founder Billy McFarland announced Fyre Festival II’s return this spring in Mexico. However, it seems unlikely, according to government officials.
After failing to meet its luxurious promises, Fyre Festival’s fiasco was one of music’s major headlines back in 2017. The original Fyre Festival was such a flop that it never happened due to failed logistics, security, and preparation. Ticket holders showed up to the festival grounds in The Bahamas only to be met by mayhem, including lack of transportation and less-than-luxurious amenities.
Years after the public failure and after being in jail for four years, the co-founder still has hope to make a debut installation happen, now in Mexican territory. “Fyre Festival II is happening April 25, 2025, so we’re seven and a half months away,” McFarland told The Today Show last fall. “We have a private island off the coast of Mexico in the Caribbean, and we have an incredible production company who’s handling everything from soup to nuts.”
Fast forward to last month (March 21), the festival revealed that it was now taking place from May 30 to June 2 at Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico. The organizers even held a press conference about the festival at the Club Martina Beach in Playa del Carmen on March 27.
However, the city announced the festival wasn’t taking place on their grounds in an official statement released on April 2. “In relation to the information that has begun to circulate about an alleged event called ‘Fyre 2’, the municipal government of Playa del Carmen, informs that no event with that name will take place in our city,” authorities announced via Facebook. “After a responsible review of the situation, it is confirmed that there is no record, planning or conditions that indicate the realization of such an event in the municipality.”
After the statement, McFarland shot back on April 4, posting alleged evidence about the organizers’ communication with city officials. The festival alleges that they’ve been in talks with the city since March 5. The post includes a timeline detailing alleged partnerships, government permits, and payments. It also includes an alleged post of the city’s government security officials attending the aforementioned press conference.
As of now, McFarland still believes that the festival is happening. Yesterday (April 7), the festival’s social media was promoting their merchandise. You can still buy ticket packages through their official website.
