Current:Home > ScamsBilly McFarland Announces Fyre Festival II Is Officially Happening -TrueNorth Capital Hub
Billy McFarland Announces Fyre Festival II Is Officially Happening
View
Date:2025-04-18 06:26:32
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! (162)
Related
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Read the transcript: What happened inside the federal hearing on abortion pills
- In These U.S. Cities, Heat Waves Will Kill Hundreds More as Temperatures Rise
- Jeremy Renner Jogs for the First Time Since Snowplow Accident in Marvelous Health Update
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- Ravaged by Drought, a Honduran Village Faces a Choice: Pray for Rain or Migrate
- Michigan man arrested for planning mass killing at synagogue
- Mexico's leader denies his country's role in fentanyl crisis. Republicans are furious
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- ‘Essential’ but Unprotected, Farmworkers Live in Fear of Covid-19 but Keep Working
Ranking
- Trump's 'stop
- As Ticks Spread, New Disease Risks Threaten People, Pets and Livestock
- Federal judge in Texas hears case that could force a major abortion pill off market
- As Ticks Spread, New Disease Risks Threaten People, Pets and Livestock
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Georgia governor signs bill banning most gender-affirming care for trans children
- The simple intervention that may keep Black moms healthier
- What is Juneteenth? Learn the history behind the federal holiday's origin and name
Recommendation
Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
This Week in Clean Economy: GOP Seizes on Solyndra as an Election Issue
Opioids are devastating Cherokee families. The tribe has a $100 million plan to heal
Electric Vehicle Advocates See Threat to Progress from Keystone XL Pipeline
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
Ravaged by Drought, a Honduran Village Faces a Choice: Pray for Rain or Migrate
You'll Be Crazy in Love With Beyoncé and Jay-Z's London Photo Diary
Read the transcript: What happened inside the federal hearing on abortion pills