Pemberton Music Festival cancellation 'gross,' says musicians' representative in Billboard interview

Last week’s cancellation of this summer’s Pemberton Music Festival is “just gross,” according to the head of a firm representing several of the festival’s scheduled acts.

In an interview with Billboard Magazine, Marc Geiger, a partner and head of music at William Morris Endeavor (WME), had strong words for the festival organizers.

“I want each of them to know, ‘I coming after you personally,'” he told Billboard. “We’re going to pursue all of these people to the full extent of the law.”

Some of the scheduled artists WME represents include Haim, Big Sean, and Tegan and Sara.

Geiger told Billboard he was angry about the impact the cancellation will have on artists, fans and the festival market.

“They should not be able to run away from this,” he said. “You can’t do this much damage to the festival ecosystem and think you can get away with it.”

Geiger called the turn of events “fraud, pure and simple.”

Organizers ‘heartbroken’ by cancellation

Huka Entertainment, the producers behind Pemberton Festival, released an official statement following its cancellation.

“For the past four years Huka Entertainment has worked to create a one-of-a-kind experience in the most beautiful place on earth,” it read. “We are heartbroken to see the 2017 Pemberton Music Festival cancelled.”

The statement went on to confirm the process behind the decision.

“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.”

See also

• 5 alternatives to Pemberton Music Festival in BC
• Pemberton Festival cancellation a major economic loss to community, says Pemberton Mayor
• Pemberton Music Festival 2017 has been cancelled
• Pemberton Music Festival: Here's how to get a refund
• Social media reacts to the Pemberton Music Festival cancellation