Michael Lang, the principal organizer of 1969’s original Woodstock festival who is hoping to produce the 50th anniversary edition, issued a statement on Tuesday, April 30 to combat the surprise announcement a day earlier from his (former) financial partner, Dentsu-Aegis.
In an email to those who signed up for Woodstock 50 ticket information, Lang compares the current situation with what happened in ’69, when “we lost our site in Walkill and with only a month to go we managed to move to Bethel.
“Yesterday, I couldn’t help but relive that moment 50 years ago – it was ‘déjà vu all over again’!”
He closed the note thusly:
“Woodstock never belonged to Dentsu, so they don’t have a right to cancel it.
“Woodstock belongs to the people and it always will.
“We don’t give up and Woodstock 50 will take place and will be a blast!”
The email included a graphic that featured the same dates as originally planned – August 16-17-18 – with Watkins Glen, NY as the location.
Lang’s complete statement:
Dear Woodstock Friends
It seems in a way that history is repeating itself. In July of 1969 we lost our site in Walkill and with only a month to go we managed to move to Bethel. Woodstock was going to happen no matter what!
This time around, Woodstock’s new hometown, Dix & Watkins Glen, NY and New York State have been really wonderful. I went door to door to talk to the neighbors. Some remembered Summer Jam back in ’73 and were worried about history repeating itself. But they opened their doors to us and we talked it out. Many of those people have reached out over the last 24 hours with messages of hope and encouragement.
The venue, Watkins Glen International, have been totally supportive and professional.
Yesterday, our financial partner, Dentsu-Aegis, made the decision to pull out and informed us that they were cancelling the festival at the same time they let the press release go public.
We have yet to understand why they would try to prevent the festival from happening by seemingly undermining us in this way. It is one thing to decide for oneself that it is best to move on, but it is entirely another thing to try and close the door on us.
Yesterday, I couldn’t help but relive that moment 50 years ago – it was “déjà vu all over again”!
Supporting the principles of activism and sustainability are too important to be derailed by shortsighted partners.
We continue our work with NYS, Schuyler County and various parties to keep things on track.
Woodstock never belonged to Dentsu, so they don’t have a right to cancel it.
Woodstock belongs to the people and it always will.
We don’t give up and Woodstock 50 will take place and will be a blast!
Thanks for Listening, Michael
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1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversationMichael Lang said the same thing 50 years ago but that was then and this is now. Different bands, different town, different security, different set up (4 stages), different festival & different outcome…REMEMBER,
THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER WOODSTOCK…Don’t be fooled people, Lang is running scarred coz there’s no ticket sales & no refunds.
CAVAET EMPTOR (BUYER BEWARE)…..