On Tuesday Miami Beach Pop Festival organizers officially pulled the plug on their inaugural event, citing that the initial plan is “no longer viable.”
Originally scheduled for November 8-10, MBP was a project three years in the making and billed as an eclectic gathering for all ages and demographics. In August we spoke with founder Paul Peck, who told CL his latest project would be the “most diverse festival ever.”
Despite these boasts, Peck and organizers were forced to announce an official ‘postponement’ this week, adding:
“The producers of Miami Beach Pop Festival will be working with all involved parties to secure a new date in the future. The lineup will change, as some performers may be unable to accommodate a rescheduled date.”
Miami Beach Pop has announced a postponement of the 2019 event, originally sched for Nov 8-10. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the continuation of the original plan is no longer viable. Ticket holders can expect a refund within seven business days.https://t.co/zKrAyELHGF
— Miami Beach Pop Festival (@MiamiBeachPop) October 8, 2019
While the festival organizers suggest they will regroup for a new date, this is no doubt a blow to ticket holders — all of which are being refunded — who planned to travel to Miami this fall.
CL reached out to Peck in the wake of the postponement, but we’ve yet to hear back, so we’re only left to speculate. Assumptions could be drawn that MBP was a hard sell to the average festival fan, particularly that weekend.
While festival organizer Steve Sybesma openly expressed a desire to go after internationally-acclaimed artists like Björk, Frank Ocean, Paul Simon, and Pitbull, the return, arguably, was far less. The festival was instead headlined by Daddy Yankee, Kygo, and Chance the Rapper, all of which still draw but lack the glamour of Miami Beach Pop’s initial targets. While college-aged millennials drive the festival market, many in that age group were likely tempted by the neighboring EDC Orlando, held only 200-miles north that same weekend and at the same price point.
Again, there remains hope for Miami Beach Pop despite having to postpone its original dates. III Points — another Miami festival — postponed its five-year running fall dates in 2018, and was able to recoup with a spectacular lineup and event for its rescheduled date in February of this year.
Stay tuned as we learn more about this unfortunate turn of events.
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This article appears in Oct 10-17, 2019.
