Miami Beach Pop Fest Is Off, Citing 'Unforeseen Circumstances'

– Miami Beach Pop

Miami Beach Pop Festival, citing “unforeseen circumstances,” announced today it is postponing the scheduled Nov. 8-10 event, which was envisioned a unique multi-genre, cross-cultural event in South Florida.

The festival was to feature headliners Chance the Rapper, Jack Johnson, Daddy Yankee, Kygo, and Juanes and include a diverse lineup including Nile Rogers & Chic, Maggie Rogers, Margo Price, The Raconteurs, Leon Bridges, The Roots, Reignwolf, Magic City Hippies, T-Pain, Sean Paul and many others. A tribute to Bob Marley featuring Stephen Marley and the Sol Jam with Nile Rogers were highlights, and high-end culinary and other experiences were promised.

In addition to three stages of music, Miami Beach Pop was expected to spotlight sustainable event practices and encourage attendees to adopt more eco-friendly lifestyles and participate in wellness activities including meditation, mindfulness practices, yoga and more. Plans included art collaborations and interaction with local businesses, schools, community leaders and nonprofit organizations as well.

“The continuation of the original plan is no longer viable,” according to the announcement. “The producers of Miami Beach Pop Festival will be working with all involved parties to secure a new date in the future. The lineup will change, as some performers may be unable to accommodate a rescheduled date.”

No further details were offered, but ticketholders who purchased through the Miami

Beach Pop Festival official website can expect to see refunds on their credit card or bank statement within seven business days from Oct. 8. All other ticket holders should reach out to their point of purchase for refunds.

“We apologize for the inconvenience while we determine a new date and the best path forward for the future of the event,” organizers said in a statement.

“To our supporters and ticket buyers, artists, and the hundreds of people who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes for almost three years to bring this event to life, we thank you. We especially want to thank the City of Miami Beach for its continued support.”

While organizers, including festival veterans Steve Peck (of Bonnaroo’s Superfest and Okeechobee fame) and Steve Sybesma, didn’t elaborate on the reasons for the postponement, Miami Beach Pop Festival may have been the victim of a glut in the multi-genre festival market, particularly in South Florida.

Ultra Music Fest returns to Miami March 20-22, while Okeechobee stages March 5-8. In general, the Southeast provides plenty of competition in the shape of Tortuga, Country 500, Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, SunFest and, further out, Bonnaroo and the new Route 111 fests.

In announcing Miami Beach Pop Festival in May, Peck offered something different from other festivals and pointed to the Florida city as a market different from others.

“Miami Beach is an international destination and from a programming perspective, I believe we’re going to have an artist mix unlike any other festival anywhere,” Peck told Pollstar in May. “We’re going to crystallize this idea of cross-generational, cross-genre, cross-cultural connections through the superstar collaborative concerts that I’m known for that’s going to bring these different genres and artists together on the stage for a one time only concert that blends those flavors.”