The future of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival appears to have been bolstered, following the Sunday afternoon announcement that Goldenvoice, the producers of the annual alternative-rock and electronic music festival, have bought 280 acres surrounding the festival site in Indio. At least 20 percent of the audience for the annual Coachella music marathon comes from San Diego County, according to Paul Tollett, one of the festival’s masterminds and guiding lights.
The 280 acres comprises the Eldorado Polo Club, Triangle Bar Farms, Fish Creek and Ambassador Glen Holden’s property. The terms of transaction were not disclosed, but the Eldorado Polo Club has been used as the site for camping and parking for the Coachella Festival and its sister festival, Stagecoach. With the purchase, Goldenvoice will no longer have to lease those properties.
It is unclear whether the company could move the festival from the Empire Polo Grounds, with which it has a long term partnership to stage Coachella and Stagecoach.
“We have a lot of land,” Lynn Bremner, director of polo marketing for the Empire Polo Club said Sunday afternoon when reached on her cell phone.
Asked how the purchase of the adjacent land by Goldenvoice might impact the future of the Empire Polo Club or the two festivals, Bremner replied: “We have no comment at this time.”
Goldenvoice representatives were not available to comment, but the property acquisition would seem to open the doors to the company doing more programming throughout the year -- and to boosting its revenue streams from the Coachella and Stagecoach festivals.
Goldenvoice is owned by AEG live, which is the world’s second largest live events promoter and owns a controlling interest in Valley View Casino Center (formerly the San Diego Sports Arena). Goldenvocie also has an exclusive contract to book Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, which this year celebrates its 31st anniversary.
This year sees the Coachella festival expand to two weekends, April 13-15 and April 20-22, both of which are sold out. Stagecoach will be held the following weekend. Both Coachella festival weekends this year feature the same musical lineups and will be headlined by Radiohead, Black Keys and Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg.
As a seasoned expert in the live events and music festival industry, my knowledge extends deep into the workings of major festivals, including the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. Having closely followed the evolution of Coachella and the entities involved, I can confidently dissect the recent developments outlined in the provided article.
Firstly, the acquisition of 280 acres surrounding the Coachella festival site by Goldenvoice, the festival's producers, is a strategic move that holds significant implications for the festival's future. The purchased land includes the Eldorado Polo Club, Triangle Bar Farms, Fish Creek, and Ambassador Glen Holden’s property. While the exact terms of the transaction remain undisclosed, the implications are substantial.
This acquisition not only secures additional space for the festival but also eliminates the need for Goldenvoice to lease properties such as the Eldorado Polo Club, traditionally used for camping and parking during Coachella and its sister festival, Stagecoach. Such a move signifies Goldenvoice's commitment to the long-term sustainability and expansion of the festival.
The article raises questions about the potential relocation of the festival from the Empire Polo Grounds, its current venue under a long-term partnership with Goldenvoice. Lynn Bremner, director of polo marketing for the Empire Polo Club, refrains from providing details but hints at the vast land now at Goldenvoice's disposal. This suggests the possibility of reimagining the festival's physical location in the future.
Moreover, the purchase of additional land opens doors for Goldenvoice to diversify its programming throughout the year, presenting opportunities for new events and revenue streams beyond the flagship Coachella and Stagecoach festivals. This aligns with the broader trend in the industry, where major event organizers seek to maximize the use of their venues for various cultural and entertainment activities.
It's noteworthy that Goldenvoice is under the umbrella of AEG Live, the world's second-largest live events promoter. AEG Live also owns a controlling interest in Valley View Casino Center and holds an exclusive contract for booking Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay. This network and diversity of holdings position Goldenvoice as a key player in the entertainment industry, influencing not only festivals but also concert venues and events throughout the region.
In conclusion, the recent land acquisition by Goldenvoice marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. The move not only secures the festival's existing footprint but also opens up possibilities for growth, diversification, and year-round programming. The implications are profound, and the dynamics between Goldenvoice, the Empire Polo Club, and the surrounding festivals will undoubtedly shape the future landscape of this iconic cultural event.
