LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An apparent and abrupt shutdown of ticket-selling company Lyte is affecting people in Louisville as Bourbon & Beyond continues this weekend.
Lyte is the official ticket exchange website of many events, including the annual music festival in Louisville. As of Saturday afternoon, Lyte's website was offline with a message saying "Be back soon." Smaller print says the site is undergoing "scheduled maintenance."
Social media users reported the site was down as early as Tuesday. According to a report from Billboard, the company appears to have suddenly gone out of business, laid off staff and had its CEO resign this week.
Thousands of people who sold tickets to various events through the website are in limbo and wondering when, or if, they'll be paid. Bourbon and Beyond officials provided the following statement to WHAS11:
"We are asking any fans who used Lyte to exchange 'sell' their passes to email our info@bourbonandbeyond.com with the sold confirmation for direct assistance. All passes purchased on Lyte will be be honored."
WHAS11 received a call Saturday from someone who recently sold Bourbon and Beyond passes on Lyte. They said Lyte doesn't pay sellers until the event has concluded, and they have not been paid.
Many users on Reddit have posted similar stories for other events, including the Lost Lands Festival, which is also happening this weekend in Ohio.
Lyte founder and chief executive Ant Taylor told Billboard an emergency board/creditors effort is underway to identify a potential buyer that could repay fans and promoters impacted by the sudden shutdown.
