Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival with Miley Cyrus, Halsey and Jay Z has been CANCELLED due to 'capacity, site readiness and permit issues'
The Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival was hyped as the biggest music event of the summer of 2019.
But on Monday the team behind the highly anticipated musical bash, which was due to take place on August 16 to 18, announced it had been canceled even though they had secured such big names as Miley Cyrus, Halsey and Jay -Z.
'We don't believe the production of the festival can be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name,' said officials with Dentsu Aegis Network, which is funding the festival.
However, soon after the organizers for the event said not so fast as they told the Poughkeepsie Journal, 'Woodstock 50 vehemently denies the festival's cancellation and legal remedy will [be] sought.'
Not happening: The Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival was hyped as the biggest music event of the summer of 2019. But on Monday the team behind the highly anticipated musical basg, which was due to take place on August 16 to 18, announced it had been canceled even though they had secured such big names as Miley Cyrus
The statement continued: 'It's a dream for agencies to work with iconic brands and to be associated with meaningful movements.
'We have a strong history of producing experiences that bring people together around common interests and causes which is why we chose to be a part of the Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival.
Share this article
'But despite our tremendous investment of time, effort and commitment, we don't believe the production of the festival can be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name while also ensuring the health and safety of the artists, partners and attendees.'
It was added that the entire team was in agreement to end Woodstock 50.
Good lineup: Also on the list is Commonm Chance The Rapper and Janelle Monae
Not doing it: Halsey, seen here in mid April, was also supposed to perform. According to Billboard, the artists have already been paid
'As a result and after careful consideration, Dentsu Aegis Network's Amplifi Live, a partner of Woodstock 50, has decided to cancel the festival. As difficult as it is, we believe this is the most prudent decision for all parties involved.'
Headliners at the three-day event included The Killers, Dead and Co, Imagine Dragons and Jay Z.
Cyrus was also a big draw as were The Lumineers, Chance the Rapper, Sturgill Simpson, Santana and Cage the Elephant.
Not going east: Jay Z (seen in Virginia on Saturday) was also on the list of performers along with several legends from the original 1969 Woodstock on board: John Fogerty, John Sebastian, David Crosby, Canned Heat and Country Joe McDonald
There were supposed to be several legends from the original 1969 Woodstock on board: John Fogerty, John Sebastian, David Crosby, Canned Heat and Country Joe McDonald.
The event was shut down mostly because of the size - according to Billboard 'organizers were growing increasingly concerned that the Watkins Glen International speedway would not be able accommodate the 100,000-person festival.'
There was an issue with 'site readiness' and permits.
He was thrilled to go: John Fogerty spoke in March during the announcement event for the lineup for the Woodstock 50th Anniversary concert in New York
Problems arose last week when Live Nation and AEG were asked to invest $20 million to keep the event going. Both companies said no.
Just before that the deadline to start selling tickets had been missed.
'More than $30 million has already been spent on the festival lineup,' a source with knowledge of the proposal told Billboard.
The site added 'most artists have already been paid by Amplify Live' the investment arm of Dentsu Aegis Network, a multinational media and digital marketing firm headquartered in London and a wholly owned by Japanese media firm Dentsu.
