Letter From Michael Lang – Founder of Woodstock
If you haven’t already heard, Woodstock 50, the anniversary festival of the original Woodstock, has been canceled, well, not according to Michael Lang. Michael Lang is the man who helped make the 1969 Woodstock possible and was helping curate this year’s festival. This morning he sent out a letter to the fans of the festival about what has been going on in his own words.
Dear Woodstock Friends
It seems in a way that history is repeating itself. In July of 1969 we lost our site in Walkill and with only a month to go we managed to move to Bethel. Woodstock was going to happen no matter what!
This time around, Woodstock’s new hometown, Dix & Watkins Glen, NY and New York State have been really wonderful. I went door to door to talk to the neighbors. Some remembered Summer Jam back in ’73 and were worried about history repeating itself. But they opened their doors to us and we talked it out. Many of those people have reached out over the last 24 hours with messages of hope and encouragement.
The venue, Watkins Glen International, have been totally supportive and professional.
Yesterday, our financial partner, Dentsu-Aegis, made the decision to pull out and informed us that they were cancelling the festival at the same time they let the press release go public.
We have yet to understand why they would try to prevent the festival from happening by seemingly undermining us in this way. It is one thing to decide for oneself that it is best to move on, but it is entirely another thing to try and close the door on us.Yesterday, I couldn’t help but relive that moment 50 years ago – it was “ déjà vu all over again”!
Supporting the principles of activism and sustainability are too important to be derailed by shortsighted partners.We continue our work with NYS, Schuyler County and various parties to keep things on track.
Woodstock never belonged to Dentsu, so they don’t have a right to cancel it.
Woodstock belongs to the people and it always will.
We don’t give up and Woodstock 50 will take place and will be a blast!Thanks for Listening, Michael
There is currently no official word from anyone beyond Michael Lang to what the actual status of Woodstock 50 is. As of now, it seems as if it is not happening. If it does ever happen, let’s hope that it is a much smoother road than past attempts at bringing the magic back to Upstate New York will go through without the issues that have plagued past festivals.