A new statement from the legal firm representing Woodstock 50 asserts that the planned anniversary music festival is proceeding, despite the recent announcement that its financial backers were pulling out.
“This confirms that Woodstock 50 is proceeding with the planning and production of the festival," declares the statement late Tuesday night from Marc Kasowitz, attorney for the festival. "Dentsu has no legal right or ability to cancel it. All stakeholders, including the entertainers, should proceed with the understanding that the event will take place as planned.”
(MORE: Woodstock 50 canceled, festival funder says. Festival itself says otherwise.)Dentsu is Dentsu Aegis Network's Amplifi Live, the company that was providing financial backing for Woodstock 50.
It announced Monday by Dentsu that it was "canceling the festival" because it doesn't "believe the production...can be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name while also ensuring the health and safety of the artists, partners and attendees."
Woodstock co-founder Michael Lang responded that the 50th anniversary edition of the famous festival will go on, despite Dentsu's withdrawal.
"We are committed to ensuring that the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock is marked with a festival deserving of its iconic name and place in American history and culture," the statement read. "Although our financial partner is withdrawing, we will of course be continuing with the planning of the festival and intend to bring on new partners. We would like to acknowledge the State of New York and Schuyler County for all of their hard work and support. The bottom line is, there is going to be a Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival, as there must be, and it's going to be a blast.”
Woodstock 50 remains scheduled for August 16-18 in Watkins Glen, New York, about 140 miles from the original Woodstock festival site in Bethel, New York. Jay-Z, Miley Cyrus, Halsey and many more are signed on to perform.