With the coronavirus spreading like wildfire across the U.S., Coachella has decided to move it’s celebrated festival to the fall.
“At the direction of the County of Riverside and local health authorities, we must sadly confirm the rescheduling of Coachella and Stagecoach due to COVID-19 concerns. While this decision comes at a time of universal uncertainty, we take the safety and health of our guests, staff and community very seriously. We urge everyone to follow the guidelines and protocols put forth by public health officials. Coachella will now take place on October 9, 10 and 11 and October 16, 17 and 18, 2020. Stagecoach will take place on October 23, 24 and 25, 2020. All purchases for the April dates will be honored for the rescheduled October dates. Purchasers will be notified by Friday, March 13 on how to obtain a refund if they are unable to attend. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you in the desert this fall.” Organizers said in a statement.
The mother of all music festivals was scheduled for the weekends of April 10-12 and April 17-19 in Indio, California. However, sources revealed to Billboard that the promoter over the event, Goldenvoice, is trying to save the festival from total cancelation by moving it to October.
As of Monday, there were three more cases of coronavirus confirmed in Riverside County where the festival takes place. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the county now stands at six.
Rescheduling the event that has taken place for 20-years was not an easy feat. Hundreds of artists and their representatives had to be contacted and agree to the new date. In addition, hundreds of contractors and vendors have to be rescheduled as well.
Coachella is the latest music event to be cancelled as the coronavirus continues to spread. Austin’s South by Southwest and Miami’s Ultra Music Festival have both pulled the plug on their concerts.