In a striking tale that unveils the darker side of the festival industry, a three-day music event titled “Monmouth Rising” scheduled for the August bank holiday has been exposed as a grand deception orchestrated by James Kenny, a self-proclaimed festival organizer and convicted fraudster. With an impressive lineup that included massive names like The Killers, Pulp, Def Leppard, Wet Leg, and The Libertines, the festival was advertised as the world’s first hydrogen-powered music event, boasting a capacity of 45,000 attendees. However, underneath this lavish facade lay a web of lies crafted in the confines of Kenny’s elderly mother’s kitchen.
An investigation spearheaded by BBC News revealed how Kenny’s extravagant plans not only attracted attention from major acts but also ensnared industry professionals, investors, and even government officials into his ruse. As Kenny defended his aspirations, asserting he intended for the festival to come to fruition, he expressed regret for the financial hurt inflicted on those who trusted him. His claims notwithstanding, the lack of concrete arrangements — such as unpaid deposits for artists and missing licensing applications — cast significant doubt on his integrity.
The festival industry, known for its eclectic characters and ambitious ventures, initially saw potential in Kenny’s vision. His background as a bar manager in Liverpool and his connections with notable individuals, including restaurant co-founder John Vincent, led many to believe that Kenny might have the chops to pull off a music festival rivaling Latitude. Yet, as time progressed, those closely involved, from prospective employees to suppliers, began growing skeptical about the festival’s viability.
Former employees described Monmouth Rising as “a festival made of paper,” underscoring the growing realization that it may never exist beyond Kenny’s imagination. The ambitious plans for the festival, which were supposed to include elaborate features such as detailed site maps created with sophisticated software and broadcasts by BBC Radio Wales, all fell flat. Their ambitious claims did not materialize into actionable steps.
Further complicating matters, there were testimonies from individuals who noted Kenny’s secretive approach to dealings, with no announcements regarding ticket sales or artist confirmations. Music producer Chris Whitehouse, who was tasked with creating promotional content for the festival, viewed Kenny’s demeanor and claims with suspicion as he attempted to secure high-profile acts like Idris Elba as a DJ. However, none of the individuals and acts Kenny claimed to have contacted or secured had any record of engagement with him.
Despite the mounting evidence of Kenny’s deceit, he continued to mislead those around him, promising investments and overselling his involvement with numerous high-profile names, including features like “cannon-firing bacon butties” at campsites, which sounded more fanciful than feasible. Those who shared in his vision and collaborative efforts found themselves increasingly entangled in a toxic environment manipulated by Kenny’s charismatic, yet duplicitous, nature.
By early March, as chaos unfolded, many employees received a stark message from Kenny, announcing the cancellation of Monmouth Rising, attributing it to its “unviability.” They discovered that while only a handful of tickets had been sold, numerous suppliers and partners were still left with unpaid invoices, leading to a significant financial fallout for many involved.
As investigations continued, it was revealed that Kenny had a history of dubious practices, including past convictions for fraud stemming from mortgage fraud attempts to clear his financial mess. His attempts to raise funds through alleged investments proved unfruitful, as many of his claims came into question. The connections he referenced, such as with the Welsh government and noted industry figures, were ultimately denied.
The fallout from Kenny’s deceitful practices continues to ripple through the festival community, leading to questions about how such a preposterous scheme was allowed to bloom unchallenged for so long. With multiple businesses and individuals recounting their hardships at the hands of Kenny, it becomes increasingly apparent that Monmouth Rising was not merely a failed venture; it was a wake-up call for an industry that must navigate through both ambition and authenticity, ensuring that future ventures are built on solid ground rather than dreams spun from lies.
