Blink-182 Sued by Fyre Festival Trustee Demanding Return of Performance Fee
A legal appeal has been made for Blink-182 to return the $500,000 performance fee they received to perform at 2017's doomed Fyre Festival. But the band aren't the only ones being sued by the fest's legal trustee over reimbursement in the bankruptcy case concerning the event that never got off the ground.
The series of lawsuits filed Wednesday (Aug. 28) also takes aim at Fyre Fest hawkers Kendall Jenner and model Emily Ratajkowski, seeking repayment of their respective $275,000 and $300,000 fees. In April 2017, Blink-182 pulled out the first weekend of the mismanaged fest where no announced artists performed.
The suits allege the payments were made as part of currently incarcerated fraudster Billy McFarland's plot to dupe investors, and should therefore be voided, as Variety has reported. The filings also also accuse Jenner and Ratajkowski of showing a "clear lack of good faith" after the pair's separate social media posts about the fest failed to disclose that they were paid advertisements.
"Nor did they inform their fans and followers that they ultimately decided not to attend the Festival because of problems with the Festival of which they and their agencies were uniquely aware," the suits claim.
The ill-fated fest in the Bahamas was meant to be held over two weekends that April and May, with announced acts in addition to Blink-182 including Major Lazer and Migos. At the time they backed out, the veteran pop-punk act cited concerns that the fest would not be able to provide them the proper setup to give "the quality of performances we always give our fans." Bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus later told the NME they "had indications kind of early on that there were problems."
After attendees were left stranded on the island of Great Exuma without basic provisions, McFarland and co-organizer Ja Rule were sued for $100 million in a class action lawsuit. McFarland, arrested in June 2017 and charged with wire fraud in relation to the fest, was ultimately sentenced to six years in federal prison.
Last month, Blink-182 shared synth-driven new track "Darkside." It's the latest single from the group's upcoming album Nine, due out Sept. 20. The tune was preceded by "Happy Days," "Generational Divide," and "Blame It on My Youth." Blink are currently on the road with rapper Lil Wayne — see the tour dates here.
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