The news was revealed in a statement on Wednesday, following a series of organizational issues.
Woodstock 50 is officially canceled.
Michael Lang, co-founder of the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival, announced Wednesday in a statement that the three-day festival -- which was scheduled for Aug. 16 - 18 in celebration of its 50th anniversary -- is no longer happening following a myriad of organizational issues over the past few months.
"We are saddened that a series of unforeseen setbacks has made it impossible to put on the Festival we imagined with the great line-up we had booked and the social engagement we were anticipating," the statement read. "When we lost the Glen and then Vernon Downs we looked for a way to do some good rather than just cancel. We formed a collaboration with HeadCount to do a smaller event at the Merriweather Pavilion to raise funds for them to get out the vote and for certain NGOs involved in fighting climate change. We released all the talent so any involvement on their part would be voluntary."
"Due to conflicting radius issues in the DC area, many acts were unable to participate and others passed for their own reasons," the statement continued. "I would like to encourage artists and agents, who all have been fully paid, to donate 10% of their fees to HeadCount or causes of their choice in the spirit of peace. Woodstock remains committed to social change and will continue to be active in support of HeadCount's critical mission to get out the vote before the next election. We thank the artists, fans and partners who stood by us even in the face of adversity. My thoughts turn to Bethel and its celebration of our 50th Anniversary to reinforce the values of compassion, human dignity, and the beauty of our differences embraced by Woodstock."
Greg Peck, principal of Woodstock 50, also released a statement, writing, "The unfortunate dispute with our financial partner and the resulting legal proceedings set us off course at a critical juncture, throwing a wrench in our plans and forcing us to find an alternate venue to Watkins Glen."
"The timing meant we had few choices where our artists would be able to perform. We worked hard to find a way to produce a proper tribute -- and some great artists came aboard over the last week to support Woodstock 50 -- but time simply ran short," he added. "We are greatly disappointed and thank all of our supporters, including the team at Merriweather Post Pavilion and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. Woodstock's values of peace and tolerance are more important today than ever for all of us to stand for and we look to the future for ways to honor and celebrate these ideals."
The news comes less than a week after JAY-Z and John Fogerty announced they were pulling out of the festival. Other bands and artists who were scheduled to perform included Miley Cyrus, Halsey, Chance the Rapper, The Killers and The Lumineers.
Regarded as a pivotal moment in popular music history, the original Woodstock festival took place Aug. 15 -18, 1969 in Bethel, New York, with a lineup that included Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead, The Who, Jimi Hendrix and Santana. The festival made headlines again when it was revived July 22 - 25, 1999, in Rome, New York. Woodstock '99 received plenty of media coverage due to violence, looting, fires breaking out and more. Artists who performed included Kid Rock, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sheryl Crow, Insane Clown Posse, DMX, Korn, Limp Bizkit and The Offspring.
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