What happened at the 2017 Fyre Festival? Isla Mujeres Tourism Board claims Fyre Festival 2 “does not exist” ahead of alleged scheduled dates

Isla Mujeres Tourism Board claims Fyre Festival 2 “does not exist” ahead of alleged scheduled dates (Image via fyre.mx)
Isla Mujeres Tourism Board claims Fyre Festival 2 “does not exist” ahead of alleged scheduled dates (Image via fyre.mx)

The famous Fyre Festival 2, scheduled to be held from May 30 to June 2, 2025, seems to have met with uncertainty. The second edition of the festival was reported to take place at Isla Mujeres Island.

However, according to the Isla Mujeres Island tourism board, the authorities have no idea about the festival taking place. Edgar Gasca, a tourism directorate official, told The Guardian, :

“We have no knowledge of this event, nor contact with any person or company about it. For us, this is an event that does not exist.”

Moreover, Gasca expressed serious doubts about the festival, pointing out multiple warning signs. He noted that entering the provided coordinates on the event’s website into Google Maps leads to a location in the ocean between Cancún and Isla Mujeres.

Tickets for the festival have gone live towards the end of February 2025, with prices ranging from $1,400 to $1.1 million.

The first edition of the Fyre Festival held in 2017, turned out to be disastrous for the attendees. People showed up expecting a high-end experience but were met with poor accommodations, disorganization, and canceled performances. The event was later compared to a survival challenge rather than a music festival like Coachella.

The festival’s founder Billy McFarland had previously announced the launch of Fyre Festival 2. After the unfortunate events of the first festival, he was sentenced to prison, where he approximately served four years. The attendees were given $7,220, as per the instructions of a court in New York.


Billy McFarland shared an update on Fyre Festival 2 on March 4, 2025

Billy McFarland has shared an update in a self-recorded video on his Instagram and X handles. He has assured that Fyre Festival 2 would happen and emphasized that experienced partners were managing logistics, production, and operations.

He highlighted that the production team in Mexico is highly professional and would never be involved in a fraudulent event. McFarland continued:

“We have accommodations. Naturally, this is a huge point of emphasis given the issue surrounding Fyre one. Our combinations include contracts, the number of villas, yachts and hotels. This also includes two hotels who are contacted by the media, in response gave misleading statements saying they never heard of Fyre and they aren’t working with us.”

He also mentioned that after reviewing certain agreements, his team decided to cancel some contracts and focus on working with hotels and other committed partners. According to him, artists, athletes, and performers have already been confirmed for the Fyre Festival.

He stated that restitution payments have been ongoing, with 40 payments made since his release 30 months ago. Additionally, he claimed that a significant portion of Fyre Festival's budget and profits is being directed toward restitution. McFarland said:

“Fyre 2 is moving forward and we are moving forward with full integrity. From now on, updates will come directly from me. I look forward to continuing to work with my great partners to bring the vision of Fyre to life and to help make right for all the wrongs.”

Billy McFarland also noted that he and his partners are in touch with local and state authorities to ensure compliance and create an event that benefits the local economy while showcasing the beauty of the Mexican Caribbean.

Edited by Vinayak Chakravorty
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