Coachella might not be happening at all this year.
After organizers initially pushed the festival back to October amid the coronavirus pandemic, a new report from Bloomberg suggests that the festival won’t resume until 2021.
via Rap-Up:
Travis Scott, Frank Ocean, and Rage Against the Machine were set to headline this year’s festival in Indio, Calif., which was postponed to October from April in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Coachella is the largest music festival in the U.S. and attracts as many as 200,000 people. Due to social distancing and other reopening guidelines for safety, it’s becoming less likely that the event can go on as planned this fall.
An official announcement has yet to be made. Goldenvoice executives are speaking with artists and settling financial issues like insurance, according to people familiar with the matter. They are also awaiting word from local health officials.
It’s unclear how ticket sales will be affected. Tickets for the 2020 festival are sold out, but Goldenvoice may be able to convince fans to roll over their current tickets to next year. The report also notes that not all of the performers on the 2020 bill have consented to playing next year, due to both health and financial reasons. Additionally, not every act in the 2020 lineup has been asked to play next year.
The concert industry has been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. Ticketing companies, promoters, and talent agencies have had to fire or furlough their staff. However, concert promoters are hopeful that festivals will be able to return next year.
“We believe 2021 can return to show volume and fan attendance at levels consistent with what we’ve seen in recent years,” Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino said during a call with analysts.
It’s pretty safe to say that nothing expected to happen this year involving a crowd of any size will be taking place.
