Gary Richards, founder of the beloved FriendShip festival, has confirmed the event will come to an end in 2026 and revealed the lineup for its final edition, dubbed “The Final Transmission.”
Richards, who also operates as the renowned DJ and house music producer Destructo, said the time has come despite many remarkable festivals at sea.
“I would love nothing more than to keep this going forever just like that very first one back in 2012,” he wrote on Instagram. “Those moments we shared changed my life, and I know they’ve touched so many of yours too. But the truth is, things have changed. Nothing stays the same forever.”
In his announcement, Richards pointed back to the same creative drive that helped him launch Electric Daisy Carnival, HARD and Holy Ship, calling the final FriendShip a celebration of everything those events stood for.
“Let’s set sail this January for one final, almighty celebration,” he wrote. “The Final Transmission.”
The floating festival, known for its tight-knit “ShipFam” community and genre-spanning curation, will return January 18–22 aboard the Norwegian Joy. The ship departs from Miami and stops at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas for a 36-hour private island party before returning to port.
The final FriendShip lineup brings together a mix of longtime collaborators and fresh faces, channeling the spirit that’s defined its “ShipFam” since the beginning. Destructo himself is set to perform, joining Bob Moses, LYNY, The Martin Brothers, Nina Las Vegas, Mary Droppinz and more. Boys Noize is confirmed for a special island-only Bahamas performance.
You can check out the full lineup below and find more information about “The Final Transmission” here.
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