Pollstar (04/29/19) Speer, Deborah

Despite the recent announcement of the Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival's cancellation by financial partner Dentsu Aegis Network, organizer Michael Lang insists that the event will be held. In explaining its reasons for canceling the festival, which was supposed to take place in August at Watkins Glen International race track in upstate New York, Dentsu said "we don't believe the production...can be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name while also ensuring the health and safety of the artists, partners, and attendees." Billboard reported that Dentsu has already spent $30 million on artist fees and other costs, while Lang & Co. are mulling legal options against their ex-partner. Artists' agents demanded that their clients' fees be paid in full in advance, while in some cases payments were made later than were consented to. Some sources cited issues about offers not being made to artists until late December, while ticket sales slated to start on April 22 are still on hold because of permitting issues. Compounding problems were disagreements among organizers over capacity. "Supporting the principles of activism and sustainability are too important to be derailed by shortsighted partners," Lang argues in his statement. "We continue our work with NYS, Schuyler County, and various parties to keep things on track."

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