Woodstock Festival - CMU | the music business explained

Business News • 2 min read

Woodstock settles with financial backer of anniversary edition that never happened

The Woodstock company and marketing firm Dentsu have settled their dispute over the cancelled Woodstock 50 festival, with Dentsu paying an undisclosed sum.…

Chris Cooke • 01 Feb 2021

And Finally • 1 min read

Woodstock gets stamp of approval

The US Postal Service has issued a Forever stamp marking the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock festival, with co-creators Michael Lang and Joel Rosenman attending the unveiling.…

Andy Malt • 09 Aug 2019

And Finally • 3 min read

Woodstock 50 "pretty much went off the rails from the beginning", says Michael Lang

Woodstock co-founder Michael Lang has told Rolling Stone that Woodstock 50 was not a scam like Fyre Festival, blaming original backer Dentsu for the event's collapse.…

Andy Malt • 02 Aug 2019

And Finally • 4 min read

There will be no Woodstock 50

Woodstock 50 has been cancelled after losing its financial backer, its venues and most of its artists, with organisers failing to secure a viable new site.…

Andy Malt • 01 Aug 2019

Business News • 2 min read

Woodstock cuts artists free from contracts, plans free admission for revamped event

Woodstock 50 organisers have told artists they are free to withdraw from the relocated Maryland event, with tickets never put on sale, while headliner Jay-Z and John Fogarty have pulled out.…

Chris Cooke • 29 Jul 2019

Business News • 2 min read

Woodstock 50 set to shift states as third possible venue is chosen

Woodstock 50 has moved to the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, with capacity cut to 32,000, depending on whether enough of the original artists agree to play.…

Chris Cooke • 26 Jul 2019

Business News • 3 min read

Woodstock 50 declined licence from town of Vernon - yes, again!

Vernon town council has refused a fourth licence application for Woodstock 50, citing an unworkable safety plan and unresolved traffic and accommodation concerns.…

Chris Cooke • 23 Jul 2019

Google • 1 min read

CMU Digest 22.07.19: Viagogo, Sony, Universal, Woodstock 50, Salt-N-Pepa

This week's CMU Digest covers Google suspending Viagogo's ad account, Sony aligning its music and publishing divisions, Universal's response to a fire lawsuit and Salt-N-Pepa being sued by their former DJ.…

Chris Cooke • 22 Jul 2019

Business News • 2 min read

Woodstock 50 again fails to secure licence for August event

The town of Vernon, New York, has again refused a licence for Woodstock 50, and a Virgin company supporting the festival has stood down from the project.…

Chris Cooke • 17 Jul 2019

Business News • 1 min read

BBC Four to air films on Woodstock and Ibiza

BBC Four will broadcast 'Woodstock: Three Days That Defined A Generation' and Julien Temple's 'Ibiza: The Silent Movie' this summer.…

Chris Cooke • 16 Jul 2019

Business News • 1 min read

Setlist: Live Nation, Woodstock, Ja Rule

CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review the week's music business news, including UK competition concerns over Live Nation's MCD deal and Ja Rule's exit from a Fyre Festival lawsuit.…

Andy Malt • 15 Jul 2019

Business News • 3 min read

Woodstock 50 denied licence for new venue, will appeal

Woodstock 50 has been refused a licence for its new Vernon Downs venue in New York State, with town attorney Vincent Rossi calling its application inadequate, and organisers say they will appeal.…

Chris Cooke • 10 Jul 2019