Tag Archives: woodstock 50

This Just In: Woodstock 50 Is Officially Cancelled

woodstock 50 long banner

It was only a few short days ago that the world learned that the Woodstock 50 event would not even be held in the state where it began and instead be further down the East Coast in Maryland but now according to the folks at TMZ it has been cancelled in full. According to a statement to the Entertainment Resource by Greg Peck, a principal of Woodstock 50;

“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.”

PiercingMetal Thoughts: So that’s all folks. Considering the stuff we’ve shared about this already it’s not a surprise that its come down to being cancelled. As I stated, I wasn’t even remotely planning on going since it was logistically difficult for me and had 0% Hard Rock and Metal bands. I mean it would have been fun to cover some of the groups for The Chronicles of Piercing Ken but I didn’t begin to look into that. Repeating an event like Woodstock from 1969 is probably not an easy feat in today’s world and let’s not forget that the original festival was a bit of a disaster as well.

Official Website: http://www.woodstock.com

The Continuing Convoluted Chaos Of “Woodstock 50”

It’s been a little bit since I discussed the problematic “Woodstock 50” Festival, which is an event that was aimed at celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the famous three day concert that was held at Yasgur’s Farm in Woodstock, NY back in 1969. As you can see, a new banner graphic has been revealed as of just the other day and with that comes some additional information.

woodstock 50 long banner

Let’s recap the events thus far. The first news was that the financial group behind the event had cancelled it (seen HERE) but then founder Michael Lang said that the show would go on (seen HERE). Then as an almost final nail in the concert coffin, the event space itself said “Nope, You Can’t Do It Here!” (seen HERE). At this point they pitched the reasonably close to Watkins Glen area of Vernon NY. Mind you, both of these locations are more than a four hour drive from NYC if anyone was thinking of going. The town of Vernon said “Nope” as they felt it was going to be a chaos of people and then the last word I read thanks to some other online resources was that the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD was going to host the event. Talk about a relocation. Before I continue with more thoughts on this, here are the rundown of artists that have either pulled out or have been released from the performance contract.
Continue reading The Continuing Convoluted Chaos Of “Woodstock 50”

Watkins Glen International Pulls Plug On “Woodstock 50” Location

watkins glen international logo

Tenured readers are already pretty much up to date on the developments about the much lauded “Woodstock 50” Anniversary Concert which has been broadcast as being held up in Watkins Glen State Park some 255 miles from where I keep you in the aware at my Metal Media Command HQ in Brooklyn. The first dent in the armor came when an investment group pulled out (noted HERE) but it was quickly spoken against by the Festival Organizer Michael Lang (seen HERE). Yesterday, the event received another blow to the abdomen which you can learn more about after the next logo.

woodstock 50th logo

Yesterday, the news started making the rounds that Watkins Glen International racetrack will no longer be serving as the venue hosting the upcoming Woodstock 50 Festival. As I didn’t receive the official statement here at the Metal Media Command HQ I did some poking around and discovered the WGI Statement which has been copied below.

“Watkins Glen International terminated the site license for Woodstock pursuant to provisions of the contract. As such, WGI will not be hosting the Woodstock 50 Festival.”
Continue reading Watkins Glen International Pulls Plug On “Woodstock 50” Location

A Statement from Woodstock Founder Michael Lang

Yesterday we posted the news about the purported cancellation of the upcoming “Woodstock 50” concert festival (seen HERE) and today, the original events founder has released a statement. check it out.

woodstock 50th logo

“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.
Continue reading A Statement from Woodstock Founder Michael Lang

“Woodstock 50” Is Reportedly Cancelled :(

woodstock 50th logo

Back in March, festival founder Michael Lang announced the lineup for the upcoming “Woodstock 50th” Festival (seen HERE for those curious onlookers). Earlier today, it was revealed by TMZ that the Investors at Dentsu Aegis have pulled their funding and have offered up this statement on the matter

“We don’t beliee the production of the festival can be executed as and event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name”

festival posters, woodstock 50th poster

Day 1: Friday August 16th – No one.
Day 2: Saturday, August 17th – No one.
Day 3: Sunday, August 18th – No one.

PiercingMetal Thoughts: Now I’ve already mentioned that I don’t get to a lot of festivals and based on the distance (and for the most part the lineup) I was not heading to Woodstock 50. I haven’t seen a full on Official Press Release about the news but when some of the larger websites that I sometimes monitor to make sure I have what I need for your own enjoyment started posting about it, I let the fine folks at TMZ be my resource about it. For many a Rock and Metal fan there was nothing about this festival that piqued the interest but I am never happy to see a large scale music event be cancelled since it tends to have a ripple effect on other events of this kind. When the weekend of the original 1969 Woodstock hits us, I will be playing the “Original Soundtrack Album” from the movie as well as watching it and I might just put the five full sets that were released several years ago as “The Woodstock Experience”. Hopefully you diehards have those because they are hard to find. So let’s see what happens because so far the tickets were not released for sale despite being announced as coming soon and Michael Lang hasn’t said anything about it yet either. As more information comes to light I will share it but its probably done since the money people are out. What do you think about this? Were you entertaining going? Chime in down below in the comments.

Official Website: https://www.woodstock.com/