After the infamous 2017 Fyre Festival debacle, it would seem almost unthinkable for anyone to want to experience a round two. Yet, Billy McFarland, the mastermind behind the first festival disaster, insists there’s demand for Fyre Fest II—and a lot of it. According to McFarland, 20,000 people are clamoring for tickets to his redemption event, set to take place on a private Caribbean island next April.
A Second Chance on a Private Island
McFarland, now 32, hopes to redeem himself after spending four years in prison for fraud related to the original Fyre Festival. This time around, he’s planning a much smaller event with 3,000 attendees, scheduled for April 25-28. Unlike the first fiasco, which promised luxury villas and gourmet meals but delivered disaster relief tents and cheese sandwiches, McFarland says he’s learned from his mistakes. With a professional production team now onboard, he’s confident Fyre Fest II will be different.
Despite the heavy skepticism, McFarland is charging forward, with ticket prices ranging from $1,400 for the basic package to a jaw-dropping $1.1 million for the ultimate VIP experience, which includes luxury yachts, scuba diving, and island hopping.
Early Buzz and Sold-Out Presale
Even with no artist lineup and very few concrete details about the festival’s location, Fyre Fest II has already sparked interest. In August 2023, the first 100 presale tickets sold out within 24 hours. McFarland attributes this to the notoriety of the first Fyre Festival, which he believes has fueled curiosity. Many want to attend simply to witness what could be either a spectacular success or another public failure.
“It’s not about 10,000 people staring at a stage,” McFarland said. “It’s about a shared experience—exploring a private island and diving into the unknown.”
The Road to Redemption?
McFarland is fully aware of the mountain of skepticism surrounding him. While the first festival left attendees stranded with subpar food and accommodations, he vows that this time, the island will have the proper infrastructure, including real hotels and villas. Jokingly, he even mentioned that cheese sandwiches will make a return but as the highest-priced item on the menu.
Whether McFarland’s redemption arc will prove successful remains to be seen. But with 20,000 people reportedly eager for tickets, it seems that, for now, Fyre Fest II has the attention of the world—again. Check out his original Instagram post, here.
[H/T] – NBC News
