In a situation reminiscent of the original infamous Fyre Festival, the proposed Fyre Festival 2 is facing immediate credibility challenges. After tickets went on sale and a location was announced, Mexican officials have emphatically denied the event’s existence.
Edgar Gasca, the tourism directorate of Isla Mujeres, spoke candidly with The Guardian, stating unequivocally, “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.”
Gasca highlighted several red flags, most notably the event’s purported location. “If you go on their website and take the coordinates they provide, then put them in Google Maps, it takes you to the ocean — between Cancún and Isla Mujeres,” he explained.
The criticism extends beyond geographic impossibilities. Gasca emphasized the fundamental logistical oversight, noting, “The organizers didn’t even bother to approach the authorities. Any manager knows that if you’re going to hold a massive event, you need municipal authorization.”
Despite these challenges, Billy McFarland — the mastermind behind the original disastrous Fyre Festival — remains defiant. In a direct response, he claimed the festival is “real” and insisted they have “incredible partners” managing logistics and operations.
McFarland addressed the local hotels’ denials head-on, revealing that after some hotels claimed no knowledge of the event, he instructed his team to terminate those contracts and focus on partners “eager to work with and support Fyre.”
McFarland has been making headlines for a different reason — his recent victory in a Karate Combat event in Austin, Texas, where he knocked out opponent Justin Custardo (known as JChainz) in the second round, with notable spectator Joe Rogan in attendance.
“I figured it would be best to hear directly from me what’s actually happening. First, Fyre 2 is real. Second, we have incredible partners leading the festival. They’re in charge of all the logistics, productions and operations. This includes an incredible production team in Mexico who does not f around. There is no way they would ever take on a fake festival.”
“We have accommodations. Naturally, this is a huge point of emphasis given the issues surrounding Fyre 1. Our accommodations include contracts, the number of villas, yachts and hotels. This also includes two hotels who were contacted by the media and in response, gave misleading statements saying they never heard of Fyre and they aren’t working with us. After hearing this, I asked my team to terminate those contracts and to focus on the hotels and other partners who are eager to work with and support Fyre.”
Only time will tell if Fyre Festival 2 will rise from the ashes of its predecessor or sink into the metaphorical ocean where its coordinates seemingly reside.
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