ORLANDO, FL — November 2025 | By The Riff Report
The chaos has hit Home Bass Festival — and it’s not the kind of bass drop anyone was expecting. What should have been the start of a weekend of beats, pool parties, and Florida sunshine turned into a full-on logistical nightmare for dozens of guests who found themselves stranded at the Westgate Resort in Orlando.
According to reports from The Festive Owl, the check-in process descended into chaos earlier today when attendees discovered their booked rooms simply didn’t exist. Many fans, who had paid thousands for packages months in advance, were left sitting in the hotel lobby with nowhere to sleep and no clear answers.
💥 “Find Your Own Room” – The Email That Sparked Outrage
An email from Brian Thomas, the organiser behind Home Bass, circulated on social media this evening — and it did not go down well.
“We’re currently working through a major issue with the hotel,” Thomas wrote. “Please go ahead and secure your own room; we’ll be refunding you for tonight’s stay value ($350) in full.”
Thomas went on to assure guests that “everything will be resolved by tomorrow,” claiming Home Bass staff would be in the lobby at 11am to assist and issue updated Westgate confirmations.
But by then, frustration had already boiled over. Photos and videos online showed festival-goers sprawled across the lobby floor, surrounded by luggage, visibly tired, and furious.
🏨 $2,200 and Still No Room
One attendee summed up the mood perfectly in a viral comment:
“I’m trying to check in, I paid for a room and early passes for $2,200 almost a year ago and the hotel is saying I have no reservation there. Your number goes straight to voicemail. You won’t respond to emails or comments. You’re giving Ja Rule Fyre Festival fail.”
The comparison to the infamous Fyre Festival is brutal — but hard to ignore. Fans spent thousands expecting a smooth, all-inclusive hotel festival experience. Instead, they were told to “find their own room” and hope for refunds.
💸 Unpaid Bills and Past Problems
This mess follows previous reports of unpaid CampINN bills and outstanding wages owed to staff and artists dating back to September.
For many festival-goers, this isn’t just about tonight’s chaos — it’s about a pattern of broken promises, poor communication, and questionable management decisions.
⚠️ “Everything Will Be Resolved Tomorrow”
Thomas claims that the situation will be fixed by the next morning once hotel confirmations are received, but fans aren’t buying it. After spending hours trying to contact organisers — with no response — and being told to cover their own accommodation for the night, trust has evaporated.
Social media is now flooded with photos, emails, and angry posts under hashtags like #HomeBassFail and #FyreFestival2.
🎤 The Riff Report Verdict
Let’s be honest — no one wants to see festivals crash and burn. But when organisers take fans’ money, fail to communicate, and leave people stranded with vague “we’re sorting it” messages, it crosses the line from disorganised to downright irresponsible.
Festival-goers don’t just buy tickets; they buy into an experience. And when that experience ends with sitting on a cold hotel lobby floor wondering where your $2,200 went, it’s safe to say something’s gone very, very wrong.
If Home Bass wants to salvage its reputation, transparency and action are needed — fast.
💬 Were you affected by the Home Bass fiasco?
Share your story with us on The Riff Report Discord or drop us a message — we’re gathering firsthand accounts for our follow-up investigation.
🔥 Stay tuned to The Riff Report for more festival news, fan stories, and real talk from the frontlines of live music.
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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