This is the second time in just over three months that Home Bass has left ticket holders stranded during one of its planned hotel takeovers.
On Thursday, November 6, Orlando promoter Home Bass announced that it had opted to cancel its hotel takeover of the Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa — after the event was already scheduled to be underway.
In a statement posted on Instagram, organizers cited “unforeseen challenges & obstacles” that they asserted “made it impossible to deliver the final & high-quality experience” that had been promised to would-be attendees. “We have exhausted all outlets to get the final support needed to move forward,” reads a passage. “This would have been our 7th Home Bass anniversary, and it truly breaks our hearts to say that; due to recent events, it’s just not possible to carry on this time.”
Prior to the announcement, fans who arrived at Westgate were informed by staff that they had to make new lodging arrangements. “I am trying to check in, I paid for a room and early passes for $2,200 almost a year ago, and the hotel is saying I have no reservation there,” wrote one social media commenter. “Your number goes straight to voicemail. You won’t respond to emails or comments. You’re giving Ja Rule Fyre Festival fail.”
Another ticket holder shared what appears to be a photo of a printed notice distributed by Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa staff. “EDC Event cancelled,” it starts, erroneously connecting the event to EDC Orlando. “Reservations not Valid. Need to contact the company Home Base for Refunds. Do Not Allow on property.”
Brian Thomas, the president of Home Bass organizer Music Festival Trips, also apparently sent personal emails to stranded attendees before the cancellation. He instructed ticket holders to “secure your own room,” promising that “we’ll be refunding you for tonight’s stay value ($350) in full.” His team was “finalizing one crucial piece related to rooming and payments,” he wrote, and would make sure that “everything will be fully back on track tomorrow.”
This is the latest setback for Music Festival Trips, following issues during the Dirtybird CampINN festival earlier this year. While that festival continued to operate throughout the weekend, staff at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando told attendees they had not paid the hotel, leading to large holds on their cards. Bills and outstanding wages owed to staff and artists from September’s Dirtybird CampINN also continue to remain unpaid by the company at the time of publishing.
EDC Orlando, which is completely unaffiliated with Home Bass, has continued to operate at Tinker Field throughout the weekend.
Read the full statement from Home Bass:
