You are looking at a terrible cell phone snap (sorry) of a very small crowd in front of a very large stage.
That’s everyone who lasted through Treasure Island Music Festival’s second day to see headliner Sigur Ros.
While day one was quickly marred by delayed, canceled and shortened sets—and heavy winds and torrential rain and almost no communication from festival organizers—Sunday started out with promise. Christine and the Queens blew people away with her funky pop and stage show akin to watching a French arthouse film. The sun peeked out and attendees shed their jackets. Folks filled the pier, which was closed the day prior, to dance, ride the Ferris Wheel and take photos of the Bay Bridge.
Neon Indian, Tycho and Slyvan Esso all had crowds dancing and cheering, despite the skies darkening. Ankles were buried in mud throughout the grounds. Still, the feeling in the air was far better than Saturday in every way.
Then James Blake was supposed to perform at 7:30 p.m. Winds picked up. Treasure Island organizers said it would be delayed. A revised schedule would come soon.
Tycho returned to the stage for a deejay set to stall, but James Blake ultimately canceled, joining Duke Dumont and Flight Facilities to the list of acts fans angrily say they specifically bought tickets for but couldn’t see.
Ultimately, Purity Ring and Sigur Ros delivered beautiful, passionate sets: Purity Ring’s spectacular lights miracuously survived and Sigur Ros entranced what remained of the festival into an other-wordly state. Still, the majority of attendees fled after James Blake’s cancellation. While some certainly had little interest in the remaining acts, the majority left out of anger, doubting that Purity Ring and Sigur Ros would actually play, or needing to catch a BART train home. The festival, again, ran until midnight, an hour-and-a-half past schedule.
Now, a group has formed on Facebook intending to file a class-action lawsuit against the festival. The roughly 70 people in the group are demanding a full refund plus extra cash. Tickets to the festival cost $105-$335.
This was the 10th annual festival and last edition on its namesake Treasure Island. It’s unclear whether it will continue next year at a new location.