WHISTLER, B.C. (CelebrityAccess) — Just weeks after revealing their 2017 lineup, organizers for the Pemberton Music festival announced that the event was canceled and entering bankruptcy.
Slated to run July 13 to 16, Pemberton this year was to have featured a lineup that included headliners Chance the Rapper, Muse and A Tribe Called Quest, as well as Major Lazer, Haim, Run The Jewels.
2017 would have marked the 4th year for the revived festival, which was first launched by Live Nation in 2008 and then revived in 2014 under Pemberton Music Festival, LP. The revival appeared to be a success and last year, the festival drew record crowds of more than 180,000 fans over four days to the small town in British Columbia.
Huka Entertainment, Pemberton's contract producer said: "For the past four years Huka Entertainment has worked to create a one-of-a-kind experience in the most beautiful place on earth. We are heartbroken to see the 2017 Pemberton Music Festival canceled.
"As a contract producer, Huka did not make the decision to cancel the Festival. That decision was made by the Pemberton Music Festival, LP. We are extremely disappointed for our fans, artists and all of our partners who have supported the festival over the years."
Speaking of extremely disappointed fans, Pemberton organizers announced that as part of the bankruptcy 2017 ticketholders would not be eligible for automatic refunds and must instead file claims as unsecured creditors. By the time the festival went under, 4-day passes for the event were selling for $369 each, while VIP Tickets were $899, and 'Super VIP' tickets cost a princely $1,799.
Pemberton is the second major festival in the region to fall in recent years after the Squamish Festival was canceled last year. – Staff Writers
