Woodstock music festival changes venue to Imjingak Nuri Peace Park

Woodstock Music and Art Fair 2023, delayed to October, will be held at the Imjingak Nuri Peace Park in Paju, Gyeonggi, its organizers SGC Entertainment said Friday. The three-day festival will now kick off on Oct. 1 and run until Oct. 3. “As ...

Woodstock Music and Art Fair 2023, which has been delayed to October, will be held at the Imjingak Nuri Peace Park in Paju, Gyeonggi. [SGC ENTERTAINMENT]

Woodstock Music and Art Fair 2023, delayed to October, will be held at the Imjingak Nuri Peace Park in Paju, Gyeonggi, its organizers SGC Entertainment said Friday.

The three-day festival will now kick off on Oct. 1 and run until Oct. 3.

“As there have been high expectations among the concertgoers, the concert lineup and its festival programs have been prepared even more thoroughly,” SGC Entertainment said.

“Despite the necessary schedule changes [of the festival], many artists have willingly decided [to move its schedule and participate],” it added.

Some of the artists set to appear at the October festival include singers Jeon In-kwon, Insooni, Kim Wan-sun, Ryeowook of Super Junior, rapper Paloalto, rock band Boohwal and more.

The full artist lineup will be revealed on Aug. 25.

The Korean edition of the Woodstock festival was originally announced to take place around the Multipurpose Square near the Hantan River in Pocheon, Gyeonggi, on July 28, 29 and 30. It was delayed to October, citing “preventing monsoon season safety incidents and ensuring the convenience of the concertgoers” in July.

Tickets for the festival will go on sale from Aug. 25. Tickets sold before the date change have all been canceled in July.

The festival has seen many turmoils since its announcement back in January. Starting from reusing the name Woodstock — which, while the 1969 Woodstock festival is still regarded as one of the most well-known rock festivals of all time, saw mediocre success and controversies in follow-up festivals in 1994, 1999 and 2009.

Fans have been skeptical of the festival being held in Korea, criticizing its original venue near the Hantan River in Pocheon — seemingly lacking adequate infrastructure, unclear artist lineup and high ticket prices, which were originally priced at 400,000 won ($310) for the three-day ticket.

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]