A large music festival in Belgium with big headliners like Cardi B, Migos, and A$AP Rocky came to an abrupt end before attendees had even stepped foot onto the festival grounds. VestiVille in Lommel, Belgium reportedly had to shut their gates while ticket buyers were already on their way due to allegations of fraud and security concerns. Many compared the sudden cancellation to the failed Fyre Festival.
BBC reports that those in charge at VestiVille decided to cancel last-minute after a conversation with A$AP Rocky. The “Praise The Lord” rapper explained the decision on Twitter. “I won’t be performing today due to security and infrastructure concerns which relate to the production of the show the promoters told me it would be handled but unfortunately for you and me they didn’t.
https://twitter.com/asvpxrocky/status/1144619474693345280
Local officials are looking into the festival’s cancellation and are launching an investigation into fraud, laundering, and breach of trust.
Tweets and videos of inside VestiVille show a desolate campground with disappointed festival-goers.
https://twitter.com/MiamiRosexo/status/1144646597252452354
https://twitter.com/HarveyBordley/status/1144632245057196032
Many others began comparing the last-minute shutdown to the infamous Fyre Festival and said there was no food or water in sight.
https://twitter.com/sixcharlotte_/status/1144646762017239041
https://twitter.com/HarveyBordley/status/1144340446170292224
Scenes at @VestiVille were beyond scary. Unprofessional and so unsafe. No announcement regarding cancellation and staff members put at risk. Ridiculous pic.twitter.com/IitjUjvFze
— Cristina LJoy 💚 (@CristinaXO_LJoy) June 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/MiamiRosexo/status/1144599230289469440
Police with dogs were turning attendees away.
Police were waiting inside with dogs for people to start running in instead of defusing and getting us to leave safely pic.twitter.com/S6T5Kr7DHG
— Cristina LJoy 💚 (@CristinaXO_LJoy) June 28, 2019
Here you can see everyone trying to get inside but are being hold back by the police. #Vestiville #vestiville2019 #Lommel pic.twitter.com/P677yJa0N8
— Gevor Gevv (@GevorGevv) June 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/MiamiRosexo/status/1144668225621364738
VestiVille announced the shutdown on their social media, blaming the mayor for the festival’s cancellation.
Today at 5:00 PM the mayor of Lommel decided to not let Vestiville start. After consultation with the security services and ASAP Rocky’s security officer, it was decided that the safety of the artist and the public could not be guaranteed.
— VestiVille (@VestiVille) June 28, 2019
Production and suppliers have given everything to make Vestiville possible. The campsite will remain open for the time being and an organized festival exit will be organized in consultation with the municipality.
— VestiVille (@VestiVille) June 28, 2019
The organisation will now consult with their official partners about a refund.
— VestiVille (@VestiVille) June 28, 2019
The festival’s website is completely devoid of an explanation and features an extremely vague description of what the festival has to offer. “Vestiville is a moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, and life to everything. It is the essence of order, and leads to all that is good, just and beautiful, of which it is the invisible, but nevertheless dazzling, passionate, and eternal form.”
