A new music festival in The Bahamas that was advertised as the ultimate in luxury imploded Friday just as it was to begin, leaving hundreds of party-goers displaced and angry.
With tickets costing up to $12,000 and VIP packages that rose to $250,000, the Fyre Festival offered a weekend on a private island being entertained by top names in music while staying in luxurious villas where guests would be wined and dined.
But visitors said they were forced to deal with subpar accommodation that included sleeping in “disaster relief tents” and being fed cheese sandwiches rather than gourmet cuisine.
The festival had promoted itself on Instagram with sensual images of famous models lying on the sand. But after finding out that the promised “cultural moment created from a blend of music, art and food” was not to be, some visitors also turned to social media to vent fury.
“This has been one of the most ridiculous things I have ever experienced and if you know me, that is saying a whole lot,” Twitter user DylanACOP wrote.
“It is complete and total chaos. Everyone is running around frantically looking for answers and none of the staff can help. Even they are in the dark,” he tweeted.
Another Twitter user, William N. Finley IV, said he saw a man pass out in the airport “because it’s so hot since they locked us in.”
The festival, which had been due to take place over two weekends, abruptly announced in an online statement Friday that it was being “postponed” with no new date.
“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,” it said.
The festival said it was offering charter flights back to Miami to festival-goers, whose packages included transportation.
“We ask for everyone’s patience and cooperation during this difficult time as we work as quickly and safely as we can to remedy this unforeseeable situation,” the statement said.
Guests said they were asked to sign slips of paper to ask for refunds.
