Just over two weeks before it was set to take place, Woodstock 50 has officially been canceled. As Variety reports, the anniversary festival was likely called off due to the high number of performers who announced they would no longer perform. Earlier this week the team behind the ill-fated fest revealed that they would no longer charge ticket fees, instead putting on a benefit concert that would rely on donations. The event was originally set to take place Aug. 16-18.
A statement from the team has yet to be released, but earlier this week it was reported that JAY-Z was the first of many performers to withdraw from the festival. The statement will also include a suggestion that performers who were already paid for the fest should donate 10 percent of their fees to charity Headcount, a non-partisan organization that collaborates with musicians to promote democratic participation, namely via voter registration.
Variety reports that JAY is joined by the likes of Dead & Co., John Fogerty, Santana, John Sebastian, Miley Cyrus, Raconteurs, the Lumineers, and Country Joe McDonald, who all bailed on the festival due to its uncertain nature. Woodstock 50 was originally supposed to take place at the original site in Watkins Glen, New York, but was moved after the team didn't manage to secure it in time. From there it was given a tentative location at the Merriweather Post Pavilion outside of Baltimore over three days, but it was later revised to a smaller one-day show.
Following its announcement earlier this year, Woodstock 50 was plagued with issues that included multiple permit denials and the loss of a financial partner. At no point were tickets up for sale. Its lineup included the likes of Vince Staples, Chance the Rapper, Halsey, Run the Jewels, and Common among many others.
