Update: The Fyre Festival has been cancelled, leaving many attendees stranded at the location in accommodations that appear to be nothing like those originally promised. Many are claiming that there is a lack of security, food, and other resources. Reportedly, attendees are also currently unable to get flights home. The festival has issued the following statement:
"Due to unforeseen and extenuating circumstances, Fyre Festival has been fully postponed. After assessing the situation this morning and looking at best options for our guests, we cannot move forward as we hoped we could. At this time, we are working tirelessly to get flights scheduled and get all travelers home safely."
Update #2: Friday afternoon, Ja Rule released a statement about the events on his Twitter account. "I truly apologize as this is NOT MY FAULT," he wrote. "But I'm taking responsibility and I'm deeply sorry to everyone who was inconvenienced by this."
Earlier: Break out your best concert gear, because the must-attend festival of 2017 will be here before you know it. Ja Rule is the mastermind behind Fyre Festival, a two weekend event combining concerts, food, art, and exploration on the private island of Fyre Cay in the Bahamas. The Fyre Festival is unlike any other festival you will attend next year, thanks to its commitment to serving up a VIP experience for all guests. While the tickets to the festival come with a hefty price tag (the starting price for a weekend package is $1,500), the cost will be worth it for festival goers since the access to your favorite artists is unparalleled.
There are two chances for you to attend Fyre Festival — the first weekend is April 28-30, and the second is May 5-7. Both weekends will feature concerts, a scavenger hunt with big ticket prizes, and the best cuisine. Think of Fyre Festival as a luxury festival experience. If you've outgrown festivals where you skip showering for an entire weekend and eat questionable food from carnival style vendors, then you need to get yourself to Fyre Cay this spring.
Need more reasons to start packing your sandals? Here is everything you need to know about Fyre Festival before you book your ticket.
1. There Is A Genre-Spanning Musical Lineup
The lineup of performers hasn't been announced yet, but the festival's home page promises the weekend will feature an act for everyone. The goal is to have pop, rap, hip-hop, and rock stars all on the island performing concerts and participating in unexpected collaborations. Fyre Festival is bringing artists together and giving fans a more personal experience than they would get at the average festival — so, yes, you may wander into your favorite musician at some point during the weekend.
2. The Treasure Hunts Are Can't Miss Events
Each weekend, there will be a treasure hunt and the prizes are way better than cursed gold. The hidden treasures will be worth more than $1 million combined, and include jewelry, cash, and other undisclosed goodies sure to make scouring the island well worth your time.
3. It's Not Just A Festival, It's A Vacation
Music is just a piece of the picture. If you attend the festival, you are committing to a weekend on a private island where you can go to concerts, visit art installations, sit in on talks hosted by cultural leaders, sample the best cuisine, or lounge on the beach with the new friends you are sure to make. The cost of your ticket allows you access to everything the island has to offer, plus accommodations and a flight from and back to Miami (the island is just an hour away from Miami's shores).
4. Fyre Cay Has A Colorful History
The location for the festival was not chosen at random. Fyre Cay was home to the likes of Blackbeard and Pablo Escobar, making the island an ideal destination for thrill-seekers and artists. The locale is all part of the unique experience the festival is seeking to cultivate for those who attend.
5. There Are Two Levels Of Access
General admission is a sweet deal — you get access to all the concerts, food, a nice place to stay, and more for the price of a spring vacation. If you are looking for something a little more exclusive, there are VIP tickets available too, and their perks are high, if you want to get as close as possible to the musicians and artists on the island. Going VIP means access to backstage parties and a glimpse into the behind the scenes world of artists. Of course, it will cost you, so you choose your package responsibly.
6. The Lodging Is A Dream Come True
The only reason you should be sleeping outside at Fyre Festival is because you want to be. Even the cheapest accommodations include a comfy bed and quality roof over your head. This is the kind of festival where you can retire to your room with your friend at the end of the night, sip wine, and relax. No tents needed.
7. Bella Hadid Guest Starred In The Festival's Video
The festival's flashy video advertisement (watch it here) was shot on location and features major models, including Bella Hadid. It is totally possible that Hadid could be on the final guest list, which is just one more reason to book your ticket now.
8. The Official Instagram Is All About Adventure
If you want to keep up with all the new information about the festival as it is released, their Instagram page is a great place to start. So far, the posts have emphasized the adventurous side of the festival, which only makes sense when you consider it is taking place on an island where you can snorkel just as easily as you can catch a show.
9. Ja Rule Is The Perfect Collaborator For The Event
The four-time Grammy nominee is not planning the festival on his own, but he is the founder and his connections to the music industry mean the guest list is going to be incredible. If his name wasn't attached, it would be hard to drop so much cash without a firm lineup, but Ja Rule's connections span the music industry and beyond. He is a consummate artist who will help make sure the weekend is one of luxury, fun, and quality entertainment.
10. There's Going To Be Top-Notch Food
Foodies have just as much to look forward to as music fans. The dining experience is highlighted as a key feature of the festival. Who doesn't want to spend a weekend eating high-end cuisine on a private island?
11. You Don't Have To Be A Music Junkie To Enjoy The Festival
Do you skip going to Coachella with your friends because you are just not that into music? Then your ideal festival has arrived. Fyre Festival is as much about enjoying the island, meeting new people, surrounding yourself with art, and indulging in delicious meals as it is about music. Finally, there is a festival where you do not need to know every artist's entire catalogue of songs to have an amazing weekend.
Tickets for Fyre Festival are limited, so nab one while you can.
Images: Giphy (8)
