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Not surprising but still a bummer…
In news that will surely not help the morale of the festival industry, Coachella 2020 is reportedly about to announce it’s cancellation, following numerous staff cuts put into effect by it’s parent company AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group). The festival in the desert had been previously postponed to October in the hope that the COVID-19 pandemic would be under control by then. But with the virus still in large numbers in the U.S. and AEG undergoing huge staff cuts, it appears there’s little hope for this year’s iteration of the festival.
Approximately 15% of staff have reportedly been let go, with 100 employees furloughed and pay cuts of up to 50% implemented, with AEG CEO Dan Beckerman referring to the move as “an agonising decision, but sadly, a necessary one.”
“Every employee worldwide will be impacted in one form or another,” Beckerman continued on. “It is clear now that live events with fans will not resume for many months and likely not until sometime in 2021. When we are able to reopen, it will take time until we see our fans, partners and sponsors fully return.”
Event company Goldenvoice is reportedly considering holding a smaller Coachella event in April 2021, or pushing the festival pack to October next year so they can hold a full capacity event. The decision is being based on the fact that two-fifths of this year’s ticket holders have request refunds.
This year’s festival was meant to be headlined by Rage Against The Machine, Travis Scott and the ever elusive Frank Ocean. Check out the full lineup below to imagine what could’ve been.
