Coachella, Stagecoach canceled for 2020
Fall coronavirus risk prompted decisions
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and its country music counterpart Stagecoach are canceled, Riverside County public health officials announced.
Riverside County Public Health Officer Cameron Kaiser signed an order Wednesday canceling the popular music festivals, citing concerns over a possible surge of coronavirus cases in fall.
Goldenvoice, the Los Angeles-based company that produces the music festivals over three weekends in April, had announced the postponement of both festivals because of the rapidly spreading coronavirus.
“I am concerned as indications grow that COVID-19 could worsen in the fall,” Kaiser said in a statement.
“In addition, events like Coachella and Stagecoach would fall under Governor (Gavin) Newsom’s Stage 4, which he has previously stated would require treatments or a vaccine to enter. Given the projected circumstances and potential, I would not be comfortable moving forward.
“These decisions are not taken lightly with the knowledge that many people will be impacted.
“My first priority is the health of the community.”
Travis Scott, Frank Ocean and Rage Against the Machine were set to headline Coachella, which was rescheduled for Oct. 9-11 and 16-18 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.
The Stagecoach lineup included Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus, ZZ Top and Alan Jackson.
Goldenvoice had released this year’s set times for Stagecoach, which was slated to take place Oct. 23-25.
County health officials said in a statement that they spoke with Goldenvoice officials.
“After consulting with our public health officer and local leaders from the City of Indio and Goldenvoice, and with continued importance on public health, it was decided that postponing the concert series was appropriate and necessary,” said V. Manuel Perez, 4th District supervisor, in a statement.
The music festivals aren’t the first major events to be canceled during the health care crisis.
For the first time in its 98-year history, the legendary Hollywood Bowl canceled its summer season.
Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre canceled its 2020 season for the first time in 90 years. And Barcelona festival Primavera Sound announced a new 2021 lineup after initially postponing the event.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said concerts, sports events and large-scale gatherings won’t be allowed until Stage 4 of the pandemic recovery.
That stage, according to state presentations, will require therapeutics or treatments for the virus.
Large venues are then to “gradually open” at a “pace consistent with public health and safety.”
Goldenvoice rescheduled both festivals in March after Kaiser ordered their cancellation, citing “concerns about the possible health risks,” according to an email from county spokeswoman Brooke Federico.
Large gatherings across the USA played a “notable role” in the spread of COVID-19 during its initial outbreak, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a report about the virus’s introduction to the USA, CDC Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat specifically noted Mardi Gras celebrations, which had more than 1 million attendees in Louisiana, plus a Boston conference and a Georgia funeral that each drew more than 100 people.