Attorney General James Sues Festival Promoters for Scamming Ticket Buyers

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced a lawsuit against Evolutions Festival and its organizers, Michael and Justin Brown, for failing to refund ticket holders and vendors after abruptly canceling the three-day electronic dance music (EDM) and arts festival just 10 days before it was scheduled to begin. Evolutions Festival, which was scheduled for September 5-7, 2025 at the Sugar Mountain Performing Arts Center in Canedea, Allegany County, had sold more than $243,000 in advance tickets to 521 people and collected more than $21,000 in advance vendor fees. Attorney General James is seeking restitution for all ticket holders and vendors, civil penalties, and an order preventing the promoters from holding future events in New York state unless they provide a $500,000 bond.

“Concertgoers and vendors who spend their hard-earned money in New York should know that my office has their back,” said Attorney General James. “Arts and culture are a cornerstone of what draws people to our great state. My office will never allow unsavory promoters to ruin that experience and take advantage of consumers or small business owners.”

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) launched an investigation into Evolutions Festival LLC and 845 Vibrations LLC (the organizers) after receiving multiple consumer complaints about the festival’s failure to issue refunds. Evolutions Festival, promoted as an enhanced three-day weekend of music, arts, and camping, was first held in 2024. Organizers claimed that the 2025 event would be even better, touting A-list headliners, new so-called “glamping” options, immersive on-site experiences, and diverse international food offerings. The festival lineup included popular artists including Allison Wonderland, Of the Trees, and Flowdan.

Tickets went on sale on March 20, 2025 with prices ranging from around $200 to more than $700. Consumers could also purchase camping, parking, transportation, and other add-ons. In total, the organizers collected $243,158.04 in advance ticket sales through 1,157 tickets purchased by 521 individuals. The organizers also charged vendors advance fees ranging from $650 to $1,150 for a planned “vendor village,” which brought in $21,662.75 from 28 small businesses.

On August 26, 2025, just 10 days before the festival was scheduled to begin, Evolutions Festival announced on social media that the event was being “postponed.” The organizers claimed that the venue had not secured the necessary permitting for the festival, and as a result, the event was unable to move forward as planned. Despite the cancellation, Evolutions Festival did not offer refunds to ticket purchasers. Only 11 of 521 ticket purchasers received refunds, all by contacting their credit card companies and disputing the charges. Some consumers reported feeling like they had been scammed.

The festival also failed to refund vendors who had paid in advance to participate. One Rochester-area small business owner paid over $1,200 to secure a booth for the weekend and was notified of the event’s cancellation just six days before it was scheduled to begin. Festival organizers told her that they were working to reschedule the event, but that she could email a request for a refund and that those requests would be processed quickly. That promise was not kept.

Attorney General James alleges Evolutions Festival’s organizers violated New York’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Law by failing to keep all advance ticket-sale funds in escrow or otherwise provide required financial protection for ticket purchasers. Under the law, ticket purchasers are entitled to a refund even when a performance is canceled or rescheduled. Attorney General James is seeking full restitution for all ticketholders and vendors, an order to prevent the organizers from hosting cultural events in New York unless they first post a $500,000 performance bond, and civil penalties of $5,000 for all 1,185 alleged violations of New York’s General Business Law.

This matter is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Justin Haines and Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Poughkeepsie Regional Office Vinita Kamath, with assistance from Sashawna Isaacs Administrative Assistant. The Poughkeepsie Regional Office is a part of the Division of Regional Affairs, which is led by Deputy Attorney General Jill Faber. The Division of Regional Affairs is overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux.