After the news broke that the organizers of Woodstock 50 were moving the festival from New York to Maryland's Merriweather Post Pavilion - the internet went into a frenzy ... asking all kinds of questions - 

 

-How would they pull this together in 3 weeks?

-Would Howard County Maryland allow it?  

-Would moving the event 350 miles south would be a breach of the performance contract many artist signed

-What about the Smashing Pumpkins show at that was already booked at the venue on August 17? 

 

AND most importantly - 

 

Who was going to play? 

 

Seth Hurwitz, chairman of I.M.P. and operator of Merriweather Post Pavilion regarding Woodstock 50:  

 

"Woodstock 50 approached Merriweather about hosting their event here in Columbia, Md. The Woodstock folks are working on securing the artists now. If the bands come, we’ll produce the show. We’re looking forward to getting an update as soon as Woodstock 50 has one.” 

 

So basically - the ball was in the court of the festival organizers ... bring Merriweather a lineup - and IMP would do what they can to put the show on.  

 

Well ... it looks like the troubled festival has hit another speed bump - trying to get bands to agree to play a smaller venue, 350 miles from the original location ... and has now  formally released all artists scheduled to play from their contracts. 

 

John Fogerty and Jay-Z have already reportedly pulled out of the festival after organizer - Michael Lang - emailed talent agents with bands on the bill and informed them that they would not try to enforce performance contracts for the event. 

 

Soooo ... it looks like another speed bump for the troubled festival ... more as we hear it