Current:Home > ContactBilly McFarland Announces Fyre Festival II Is Officially Happening -Elite Financial Minds
Billy McFarland Announces Fyre Festival II Is Officially Happening
View
Date:2025-04-14 10:11:24
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! (2)
Related
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Record 20 million Americans signed up for Affordable Care Act coverage for 2024
- Tons of trash clogs a river in Bosnia. It’s a seasonal problem that activists want an end to
- Gov. Brian Kemp seeks to draw political contrasts in his State of the State speech
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Georgia Senate nominates former senator as fifth member of election board
- Free Popeyes: Chicken chain to give away wings if Ravens, Eagles or Bills win Super Bowl
- Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial in New York heads to closing arguments, days before vote in Iowa
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Greek prime minister says legislation allowing same-sex marriage will be presented soon
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Russian presidential hopeful calling for peace in Ukraine meets with soldiers’ wives
- Alabama's Nick Saban deserves to be seen as the greatest coach in college football history
- Bill Belichick's most eye-popping stats and records from his 24 years with the Patriots
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- Hundreds gather in Ukraine’s capital to honor renowned poet who was also a soldier killed in action
- What we know about ‘Fito,’ Ecuador’s notorious gang leader who went missing from prison
- Emmys will have reunions, recreations of shows like ‘Lucy,’ ‘Martin,’ ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Thrones’
Recommendation
US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
Calvin Klein's FKA twigs ad banned in U.K. for presenting singer as 'sexual object'
Guatemala arrests ex-minister who resigned rather than use force against protesters
Video shows Virginia police save driver from fiery wreck after fleeing officers
Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
Ranking NFL playoff teams by viability: Who's best positioned to reach Super Bowl 58?
Manifest Everything You Want for 2024 With These Tips From Camille Kostek
Nick Saban won seven national championships. Ranking them from best to worst