Ever been to a music festival without knowing the lineup?
This is for ticket holders of FriendShip events in 2023. This is a floating festival featuring a “surprise line-up” that is not revealed before the start.
In fact, according to FriendShip organizer Gary Richards, attendees don’t know the lineup or performance schedule until they board the Norwegian Pearl and enter the cabin. The festival’s founder, Destructo, who also DJs and produces electronic music, revealed the news on his social media after conducting a survey.
“The results are out and the majority of you are joining me in my dream to finally have a surprise line-up of ships. For those of you on the other side of the vote, I promise the surprise is 100% worth it. ‘” Richards said he has been working on a surprise line-up for a year.
“A lot of love and respect for always supporting me and my crazy ideas,” he added.
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The reaction was largely positive, given the fame of Richards, a veteran music executive and festival organizer who founded HARD Events before it was acquired by Live Nation in 2012. He is currently president of LiveStyle, the world’s largest music event producer, hosting major electronic festivals such as Electric Zoo and Tomorrowland Brazil.
On the other side of the coin, however, some people spoke out to lament the surprise lineup concept.
One person commented, “I want to know which artists I’m paying to see,” while others likened the move to “bait and switch.”
FriendShip is scheduled to launch on February 27th. The Fest departs from Miami, travels through the Bahamas to the private island of Great Stirrup Cay, and returns on March 3. Learn more about the event here.
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