VestiVille in Belgium has been cancelled on the day it was due to take place and is now being compared to Fyre Festival.
The festival, which was meant to take place this weekend (June 28 – 30) in Kristal Park, Lommel, boasted a lineup that included names such as Cardi B, Future, Jason Derulo, Migos, Meek Mill, Ja Rule and Ashanti, and many more. However, it was cancelled on opening day following a safety concern brought to light by rapper A$AP Rocky.
“I won’t be performing today due to security and infrastructure concerns which relate to the production of the show,” Rocky said in a statement. “The promoters told me it would be handled but unfortunately for you and me they didn’t.”
See Rocky’s full post below:
— LORD FLACKO JODYE II (@asvpxrocky) June 28, 2019
The festival responded by saying that the mayor of Lommel had made the decision to not let Vestiville take place after “consultation with the security services and ASAP Rocky’s security officer.” They added that “the safety of the artist and the public could not be guaranteed.”
Organisers are said to be consulting with their official partners to discus customer refunds and that “production and suppliers have given everything to make Vestiville possible.”
Today at 5:00 PM the mayor of Lommel decided to not let Vestiville start. After consultation with the security services and ASAP Rocky’s security officer, it was decided that the safety of the artist and the public could not be guaranteed.
— VestiVille (@VestiVille) June 28, 2019
Production and suppliers have given everything to make Vestiville possible. The campsite will remain open for the time being and an organized festival exit will be organized in consultation with the municipality.
— VestiVille (@VestiVille) June 28, 2019
The organisation will now consult with their official partners about a refund.
— VestiVille (@VestiVille) June 28, 2019
Many have taken to social media to comment on VestiVille’s cancellation, with some comparing it to Fyre Festival, the failed ‘luxury’ event that quickly turned into a dystopian nightmare, with some festival-goers sharing videos of their experience on site.
“Scenes at @VestiVille were beyond scary. Unprofessional and so unsafe. No announcement regarding cancellation and staff members put at risk. Ridiculous,” said one attendee, who accompanied her message with a video showing some of what was taking place on festival grounds.
Scenes at @VestiVille were beyond scary. Unprofessional and so unsafe. No announcement regarding cancellation and staff members put at risk. Ridiculous pic.twitter.com/IitjUjvFze
— Cristina (@CristinaXO_LJoy) June 28, 2019
“Hey @netflix I’m ready for my interview,” another joked, referring to Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened, the Fyre Festival documentary that aired on Netflix earlier this year.
Hey @netflix I’m ready for my interview #Vestiville pic.twitter.com/OxMsF7YKVS
— SAMMY (@foreversammmy) June 28, 2019
While some joked about the fact that Ja Rule was on the lineup after it was revealed he was an investor in Fyre Festival, others claimed that “there are rumours going round about financial scamming.” See more tweets below.
Nah Vestiville had Ja Rule on the line up ??? pic.twitter.com/tRnHpi6vXM
— Will Adoasi (@WilliamAdoasi) June 28, 2019
Yall saw JA RULE on the #Vestiville lineup and STILL BOUGHT TICKETS?! Lmfaooo yall are really dumber than i thought.
— oriyomi. (@ChuchiiLo) June 28, 2019
Fyre fest: Euro edition
Someone please get Jarule to explain the situation— who?Sam⭐⭐ (@Nick_Holdden) June 28, 2019
VestiVille, with artists like ASAP, Cardi, Jason Derulo,Future,… was officially cancelled Two hours ago (was supposed to open seven hours ago). There are people who broke into the festival now, there are rumours going round about financial scamming,…
— Yaro Broothaers (@Yairow_) June 28, 2019
#Vestiville be like “better get your ticket’s now, you ain’t wanna miss this” #Fyrefest pic.twitter.com/Q1eijpWuXa
— ?shania precious? (@shaniaprecious_) June 28, 2019
If you saw Fyre fest and still bought a Vestiville ticket, you got no one else to blame really ?♀️
— Louis de Finesse (@JeuneCrisis) June 28, 2019
Netflix is fast. #vestiville pic.twitter.com/IUpYwzJEYH
— Duhan (@justanote2user) June 28, 2019
Oh no Fyre Festival all over again in Belgium ??? #Vestiville
— DJRUSSKE (@DJRUSSKE) June 28, 2019
I knewww I smelled a rat when it came to Vestiville, the lineup looked way too sweet for it to just have appeared out of nowhere and now all of a sudden it’s been cancelled on the first day of the event? Hate to see ittt ? pic.twitter.com/YDIEnV0KPk
— Perfectly Imperfect (@shaniceexo) June 28, 2019
2020 on Netflix
" #Vestiville: the greatest lineup that never happened " ?— Jodeci Tigane (@JodeciTigane) June 28, 2019
No more #vestiville pic.twitter.com/jwB8jh2L0w
— Ntriwaah Broni (@YaFlava_) June 28, 2019
What happened first #Vestiville pic.twitter.com/GHXEK6C8Tp
— Les Panthères Noires (@TYGE_) June 28, 2019
Jacquees was the only artist that show up, aww bless him #Vestiville pic.twitter.com/LjPJV4ubgw
— SAMMY (@foreversammmy) June 28, 2019
American Vestiville goers asking if their thousands of dollars will be refunded smh. Shame on you @VestiVille. #Vestiville pic.twitter.com/bmbtRJuNId
— BelgianKush (@BelgianKush) June 28, 2019
I was really the only act at #Vestiville ? pic.twitter.com/BGNQIgUKoE
— SAMMY (@foreversammmy) June 28, 2019
According to New York Magazine, McFarland has been handwriting his memoirs from prison, where he is currently serving a six-year sentence for multiple charges of fraud.