Fyre Festival 2: Because Apparently, We Didn’t Learn the First Time

Okay, okay, I know this isn’t strictly UK festival news, but just when you thought the legend of 2017’s most infamous disaster-fest had been buried under a mountain of cheese sandwiches and broken dreams, Billy McFarland is back—because what’s a little fraud conviction when there’s still money to be made?

Yes, Fyre Festival 2 is allegedly happening, and if that sentence alone didn’t make you laugh, just wait until you hear the details.

A Festival That Exists… Nowhere

McFarland, who famously scammed hundreds of festival-goers out of their hard-earned cash before spending four years in prison for fraud, is once again promising a luxury island experience—this time on Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

There’s just one small issue: Isla Mujeres has no idea what he’s talking about.

According to Edgar Gasca, head of the island’s tourism directorate:

“We have no knowledge of this event, nor contact with any person or company about it.”

Which is a polite way of saying ‘What festival?’

The local government has since publicly denied that any permits have been issued, and even the hotels listed as accommodation on the festival’s website are scratching their heads. One, Impression Isla Mujeres, outright stated they hadn’t received any contact about hosting Fyre 2 and were now looking into it.

And it gets even better. If you input the festival’s listed coordinates into Google Maps, it doesn’t take you to a beach, a hotel, or even land—it takes you to the ocean. Between Isla Mujeres and Cancún.

So, unless McFarland has suddenly discovered how to host an underwater music festival, this might be a tiny problem.

The Price of a Scam? Up to $1.1 Million

Despite the lack of artists, permits, confirmed venues, or any tangible evidence this event is real, tickets went on sale this week. Prices range from $1,400 (£1,100) for the bargain hunters, to a jaw-dropping $1.1 million (£871,000) for the most luxurious package. Because apparently, nothing says “exclusive experience” like throwing a million dollars at an event that may or may not exist.

McFarland, however, remains shockingly unfazed by all the scepticism.

“I want to be one of the first festivals that can sell out with no artists,” he declared on the Today show.

A bold strategy, but considering that’s also how the first Fyre Festival sold out, you’d think he might want to try a different approach this time.

So far, the only promise of entertainment is “electronic, hip-hop, pop, and rock artists”, but no actual names. Instead, McFarland is throwing out ideas like a professional skateboarder demo and MMA lessons—because nothing says music festival like getting punched in the face between overpriced cocktails.

The Internet Reacts: “If You Get Scammed This Time, You Deserve It”

Unsurprisingly, social media has been having a field day with this.

X user @pratikcherian summed up the general mood:

“I just found out that Fyre Festival 2 is a real thing and real people have purchased tickets. I feel like I owe the writers of the Jurassic Park sequels an apology because yes, people are stupid enough to keep making the same mistake.”

@elash0222 kept it short and sweet:

“Fyre Festival is back y’all. And there’s a package for over a million dollars 💀 it’s giving SCAM!”

Meanwhile, @TapahTTV went straight for the kill:

“If you get scammed by Fyre Festival 2, you deserve it. So crazy that he gets out of prison and tries the EXACT same thing that got him in there in the first place and expects things to be different. 😂”

So, Will Fyre 2 Actually Happen?

McFarland insists that the event is “not about the past” and that he’s working with new partners to make sure things go smoothly. He even claims that 10% of the festival’s profits will go towards repaying the $26 million he still owes in restitution—which, funnily enough, suggests he’s already banking on making a profit.

Meanwhile, local officials, hotels, and basic geography remain unconvinced.

And, let’s be real, this is already shaping up to be another disaster waiting to happen.

So, if you fancy spending thousands (or millions) on the opportunity to sit in an empty field—or, more likely, in the ocean—then by all means, get your tickets now.

Just don’t say we didn’t warn you.