An investor in the infamous Fyre Festival is sounding the alarm about its scheduled reboot, advising potential attendees to “proceed with caution.”
Andy King made this statement following Billy McFarland’s announcement of Fyre II, shortly after his release from prison for defrauding millions during the original festival.
King, who lost $1 million during the first festival, expressed skepticism about McFarland’s intentions, stating, “He’s known for the biggest failure in pop culture and wants to flip the script, but I’m not sure he’s going about it the right way.”
McFarland, now 32, completed a four-year prison sentence related to the 2017 Fyre Festival in the Bahamas, which failed to deliver on its promises and featured tickets priced as high as $250,000. He indicated that tickets for Fyre II, set for next April, could reach $1.1 million.
In an interview, McFarland emphasized the necessity for Fyre II’s success, claiming extensive planning over the past year and that he already sold 100 early bird tickets priced at $499.
King, now 63, stated he had previously met McFarland to discuss the reboot but has concerns that his former partner hasn’t learned from his past mistakes, commenting that “he’s shooting from the hip again.”
“Billy has a gift. He’s got a lot of charisma,” said King, referencing how McFarland managed to secure $29 million from investors at just 24 years old.
While King hopes for Fyre II’s potential success, he warned that if McFarland is “running the show again, it won’t work.”
King revealed that McFarland reached out to him regarding potential investors for the new venture, recalling that none of his $1 million investment from the original festival has been returned.
“I’m just seeing a lot of red flags, and it saddens me,” he remarked. “We were supposed to have a luxurious event in the Hamptons, but it ended with 30 people at a local pizza place.”
King noted that follow-up calls from McFarland have stopped, and he hasn’t been in contact for several months.
The original Fyre Festival was marketed as an exclusive luxury getaway, falsely promoted by celebrities and supermodels, and set on a private island once owned by a notorious drug lord. Attendees discovered the reality included canceled performances, inadequate accommodations, and unsatisfactory meals.
McFarland received a six-year prison sentence for wire fraud in 2018 and was ordered to repay $29 million to investors. He was released early in 2022 but remains on probation until August.
McFarland claimed that tickets for the upcoming event will start at $1,400, with the most premium options reaching $1.1 million, reportedly featuring luxury experiences like scuba diving and island excursions, though he admitted that no talent has been booked yet.
‘They’re all watching’
King indicated a willingness to engage with McFarland about the new venture despite ongoing scrutiny from the fallout of the original festival. He described experiencing ongoing public stigma, as many still associate him with the scandal.
He gained notoriety for his attempts to manage the chaos during the original event, which was detailed in a documentary. In a notably viral moment, he recounted being urged by McFarland to negotiate with officials to secure clean water for attendees.
Maintaining contact throughout McFarland’s prison sentence, King mentioned that while the Fyre brand remains infamous, it could intrigue many who will be “watching” its next chapter unfold.
