Convicted fraudster Billy McFarland confirms second Fyre Festival sparking outrage over $1,000,000 ticket prices
Creator of the fraudulent Fyre Festival Billy McFarland has revealed the event is making an official comeback but ticket prices have sparked outrage.
First is the worst, second is the best? Or will it be a case of first time is a mistake, second time is a choice? Well, we'll have to wait and see when it comes to McFarland's 'FYRE 2' festival.
The creator behind the original Fyre Festival promised an an event like a Bahamas Coachella with luxury villas and food to match, alas, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is and in the case of Fyre Festival - well, given it got a Netflix documentary made about it and landed McFarland with a six-year prison sentence for fraud? Lesson learnt.
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After being found guilty of fraud - resulting 'in investors and customers losing over $26 million in two separate fraud schemes' - McFarland was released in March 2022 and has previously spoken out about his plans for a second go on the festival. He's since revealed in an interview with TODAY that 'FYRE 2 is real' - but will people splash the cash to go?
In an interview with the outlet - which aired on February 24 - McFarland revealed his plans for 'electronic, hip hop, pop and rock' musicians to take part, alongside potentially a 'professional skateboarder' and 'an MMA champion' on hand to teach some 'techniques'.
He argued: "FYRE 2 really isn’t about the past, and it’s not really about me. It’s about taking the vision, which is strong."
While McFarland may argue the second take on the festival 'isn't about the past,' the price of some of the tickets are very much on par with the original festival, if not considerably more.
According to FYRE's website, ticket prices range from $1,400 to a hefty $1.1 million - with a total of 2,000 tickets up for grabs.
The tickets priced at $1,400 are classified as 'Ignite. General access. The essentials'.
A $25,000 ticket - 'Phoenix' - grants 'four day Phoenix access to FYRE Festival 2, May 30 - June 2, 2025 for two people' and includes 'artist access to the festival grounds on Isla Mujeres, backstage access to the Water Stage, Pitside access to the Fight Pit, a curated itinerary of FYRE Experiences, Phoenix transportation throughout the weekend, access to the FYRE Concierge, and more'.
And for the $1.1 million ticket - Prometheus? Well, if you're willing to shell out that sort of cash you can expect to 'travel by private air charter', live in either a 'four-stateroom yacht or a luxurious 4-bed villa' alongside features such as a '24/7 private chauffeur service' alongside access to much more.
McFarland said: "My dream is finally becoming a reality."
Well, whether that actually becomes a reality we'll see, given the backlash against the price of some of tickets for the event which has already been amping up online.
One Twitter user wrote: "So apparently Fyre Festival 2 is happening…w/ astronomical prices for tickets that are already selling… but no performers have yet to agree to perform at the festival… oh this is going to be a disaster anyone who pays for this is an even bigger idiot than the 1st festival goers."
Another added: "If anyone buys a ticket to this, you are a fool. What can fans expect from Fyre Festival II?"
UNILAD has contacted Fyre Festival for comment.
Topics: Money, US News, Crime, True crime, Music
Poppy Bilderbeck