Wine and EDM event compared to Fyre Festival after owner reportedly dissolves company
Blended Festival’s Instagram page posted a statement claiming that the event’s CEO, Sean Evans, was absent for a month and ignored questions before telling employees that the company would be dissolved.
Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images
A wine and EDM event called Blended Festival is drawing comparisons to Fyre Fest after a statement on its Instagram page detailing messy behind-the-scenes drama that led to the entire company’s dissolution.
In the statement, first spotted by Stereogum, Blended Festival alleges that Sean Evans, the CEO of Blended’s parent company My Wine Society, has been M.I.A. since October 1. “He disabled staff email accounts and left the team with no answers to be found,” the statement alleges. It gets worse: apparently, Evans is “the sole individual with access to bank accounts, payroll, ticketing, and decisions to be made on behalf of Blended.”
Though the future of the festival remains unclear, Evans allegedly emailed employees notifying them of the dissolution of Blended Festival Inc. and his intention to seek a purchaser for the brand. The slideshow includes the email and recommends that ticket holders and other affected parties reach out to Evans directly. It reads: "Collectively, the team is actively pursuing action to be taken against MWS, Blended Festival INC, Sean Evans and his affiliate companies, and for those owed money, a refund, or entitled to compensation, it is recommended to do the same."
One Blended Festival event took place this year in Nashville with performers including G-Eazy, The Chainsmokers, Lil Jon, and Rich The Kid. Future dates in Austin, San Diego, and Tampa are now looking iffy at best.
The FADER has reached out to Blended Festival and Sean Evans’ attorneys for more information.