The future of Woodstock 50 looks bleak, after losing it’s venue just two months before the festival.
The Watkins Glen International racetrack in upstate New York backed out of it’s arrangements with Woodstock 50’s organisers, amid reports of a missed USD $150,000 payment to the venue.
This drama is the latest in a series of unfortunate events that have cast a dark cloud over the festival — which is being put together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original Woodstock festival in 1969.
In April one of Woodstock 50’s primary investors, Amplifi Live abruptly pulled out and announced the show was cancelled, blaming production delays and permit setbacks.
The shows producers — which include Michael Lang, a producer of the original festival in 1969 — quickly disputed the claim, taking Amplifi Live to court. A New York judge ruled that Apmlifi Live did not have the right to cancel the event, but was not required to re-inject the USD $18 million that it took when pulling out (Amplifi Live’s original investment was close to $50 million).
Despite continual setbacks over the past months, the festival’s organisers are remaining positive, with Gregory Peck, one of the shows partners stating they are already in discussions with another venue.
“[We] look forward to sharing the new location when tickets go on sale in the coming weeks,” Peck said.
The event’s date has remained unchanged, and is planned to go ahead on August 16 – 18, 2019.
