Coachella is proof that even the mightiest of festival brands can’t fight off the wrath of COVID-19.
According to a recent Billboard report, Coachella is no longer viable after extensive staff cuts at AEG Presents, the parent company of the fest’s organizer, Goldenvoice. According to an internal AEG memo obtained by Billboard, AEG laid off 15% of its staffers earlier this week and also implemented widespread pay cuts. The memo also informed its employees that it’s “clear” live events like Coachella will not resume until 2021.
“When we are able to reopen, it will take time until we see our fans, partners and sponsors fully return,” said AEG CEO Dan Beckerman in the memo.
The fabled Indio music and arts festival was originally supposed to occur over the second and third weekends of April. Following the onset of the pandemic, it was then moved to the second and third weekends of October. At this moment in time, Coachella 2021 may come back in a more limited fashion in April 2021, or return to its full capacity in October 2021, according to the memo.
The lineup for Coachella 2021 has not been announced yet. The 2020 iteration was set to feature headliners Rage Against the Machine, Travis Scott and Frank Ocean. It also was slated to feature dance music superstars Calvin Harris, Flume, and A-Trak, among many others.
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