Ticketholders for last weekend’s much-hyped Capulet Fest music event have been trying to get their money back after the festival was moved to an alternate location without much notice, scaled back and eventually shortened.
Now, state Attorney General William Tong says his office is on the case.
“Because of the huge gap between what was promised and what was delivered and my very real concerns that inadequate planning and preparation was put into the festival,” says Tong, “and also my very real concern is that it happens again… because of that, we’re launching an investigation today.”
Capulet Entertainment of Colchester, CT, led by Estevan Vega, promoted Capulet Fest as a three-day outdoor event to be held at Thompson Speedway from June 28-30, with 55 metal bands signed up (including Skillet and Senses Fail ), food trucks and space for RV’s to park for the weekend.
Tickets were sold for between $65 and $700.
It’s unknown what went wrong between the promoter and Thompson Speedway, but on Thursday, the day before the festival began, Capulet suddenly announced it was moving the event indoors, to the much smaller Webster Theater in Hartford, an hour away from Thompson.
Several bands pulled out before the festival began in Hartford.
Attendance was light. The third day of the event, Sunday, was cancelled.
Tong’s office had fielded about 60 complaints as of 12:30 Tuesday, when he held a press conference at his Hartford office.
Ticketholders and bands are voicing their grievances on a Facebook page called “ Victims of Capulet Fest 2024 .” The band “Major Moment,” which played Saturday, writes, “We’re more than happy to offer full or partial refunds to those fans who purchased tickets directly through our website and (rightfully) feel like they didn’t get what they paid for. Please reach out and we’ll refund you from our own money because if you buy directly from us, we want you to know, you are protected and we care about your experience.”
Capulet had held a successful event last year and widely promoted this year’s festival. Tong says he saw a remaining billboard for Capulet Fest on Tuesday morning.
“That billboard now feels to me when I see it like one big, giant misrepresentation and lie told to the people who paid good money for these tickets,” says Tong.
“As a consumer and a fan, what happened to the people who paid for tickets is outrageous, it’s wrong and it’s unacceptable.”
The attorney general posted a “Consumer Protection Inquiry” to Vega, dated July 1, with a series of questions , including:
3.
Describe in detail the reason for changing the location of the Festival from Thompson Motor Speedway to the Webster Theater, including when You first learned the festival would not go forward at Thompson Motor Speedway.
4.
Produce copies of all communications to Connecticut consumers regarding the change in location.
5.
Describe in detail the reason for the cancellation of the third day of the Festival.
Thompson Speedway wrote last Thursday on its Facebook page, “Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park would like to confirm that the Capulet Fest is no longer happening at our facility. All additional details about the future of the event will be coming directly from Capulet. Thompson is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Capulet Fest or Capulet Entertainment.”
Tong says his office has been in touch with attorneys for Vega, who has not been available for comment. An announcement on the Capulet Fest homepage reads, “Despite our best efforts and due to unforeseen circumstances, Capulet Fest concluded on Saturday night with a spectacular performance by Skillet.”
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