Fyre Festival became synonymous with disaster after it over promised and under delivered on a celebrity-packed music festival in 2017. After selling the rights to the brand to the highest bidder earlier this year, the new owners announced big plans.
Fyre Fest was sold to LimeWire, the early 2000s music piracy giant, after they outbid Ryan Reynolds’ company in July.
“Congrats to LimeWire for their winning bid for Fyre Fest. I look forward to attending their first event, but will be bringing my own palette of water,” the Deadpool actor said in a press release on Tuesday.
LimeWire Acquired Fyre Fest’s IP
“Two of the internet’s most infamous names are now under one roof – and no, this isn’t about repeating past mistakes,” the brand announced via social media. “Together, two of the most talked-about names in internet history are starting a new chapter: built on transparency, tech, and a healthy dose of humor.”
According to the press release, LimeWire plans to “unveil a reimagined vision for Fyre – one that expands beyond the digital realm and taps into real-world experiences.”
Unfortunately for fans who were hoping to get a second (or third) chance at experiencing the luxury festival, LimeWire CEO Julian Zehetmayr shut down that idea.
“We’re not bringing the festival back — we’re bringing the brand and the meme back to life. This time with real execution,” he revealed.
What Is Fyre Festival?
American businessman Billy McFarland along with rapper Ja Rule orchestrated a luxury music festival in 2017 which was set to take place in the Bahamian island of Great Exuma.
The creators even got influencers and models such as Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, Hailey Baldwin, and Emily Ratajkowski, to promote the two-weekend event.
However, when ticket holders arrived, expecting a weekend of luxury in the sun, they were met with the exact opposite. Gourmet meals were swapped for pre-packaged cheese sandwiches, glamorous villas were swapped for disaster relief tents, and headliners including Bling-182 began pulling out of performing.
The festival was ultimately canceled and lawsuits began pouring in. McFarland pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and was sentenced to six years in prison.
