Meet Philip Anschutz, the very conservative boss of progressive Coachella (2024)

Now that the music festival is back after a two-year pandemic hiatus, attention is turning toward its billionnaire owner who has long financed extremely conservative organizations.

By Albert Marie

Published on April 15, 2022, at 11:11 pm (Paris), updated on April 16, 2022, at 5:44 am

Time to 2 min.

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Meet Philip Anschutz, the very conservative boss of progressive Coachella (1)

Discreet billionaire

He is known as "The man who owns L.A." to the American press. Owner of the city's hockey and soccer franchises, of the arena that hosts the legendary Lakers basketball games and of many nearby hotels, cinemas and restaurants, Philip Anschutz cultivates both influence and discretion. "He's the man behind the curtain pulling the levers [in Los Angeles]," economist Jack Kyser told the Los Angeles Times. Born in 1939 to a wealthy Kansas family, Mr. Anschutz first followed in his father's footsteps as a land operator and oilman before investing in railroads, telecommunications, newspapers and entertainment. With an estimated $11 billion fortune, one of his assets is the lucrative Coachella music festival, which reopens April15 after a two-year pandemic hiatus.

Owner of one of the world's most lucrative festivals

Since 1999, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, located in a desert east of Los Angeles, has been one of the world's best-attended and most profitable music events. Its retro-bohemian aesthetic, the elaborate fashions of its festivalgoers and the fame of its performers have turned Coachella into a high-profile event. In fact, its prominence pulled Mr.Anschutz into the spotlight in 2016, in the wake of revelations about the political causes he champions, including pro-life, anti-gun control and climate-change denialism efforts.

Sponsor of conservative battles

Thanks to regular donations between 2010 and 2017, the powerful patron of Donald Trump and the Republican Party funded organizations such as the Alliance Defending Freedom, the National Christian Foundation and the Family Research Council, notorious for campaigning for the enactment of anti-LGBT laws across thirty-four states. Many of the causes these organizations promote are in direct opposition to the values associated with Coachella, which each year features artists who openly defend LGBT rights – talents like Lady Gaga, Lewis Capaldi and Ariana Grande, to name just a few.

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Incorrigible 'carelessness'

Mr. Anschutz has reaped the wrath of part of the audience, was boycotted by a number of celebrities and earned grievances from his own staff. Paul Tollett, organizer and co-founder of Coachella, said in 2017, "The image of the festival is tarnished, and I am offended." Under pressure, Mr. Anschutz eventually pleaded carelessness, along with a $1 million donation to the Elton John AIDS Foundation which, among other things, provides help and protection to sexual minorities. A few months later, he was again found to have made significant donations to evangelical institutions promoting LGBT discrimination, such as Colorado Christian University, whose charter states that "no one shall teach, defend, support or condone hom*osexuality." Since then, Mr. Anschutz has tried not to overshadow the festival, which returns after a two-year pause due to the pandemic.

Albert Marie

Translation of an original article published in French on lemonde.fr; the publisher may only be liable for the French version.

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Meet Philip Anschutz, the very conservative boss of progressive Coachella (2024)

FAQs

Is Philip Anschutz conservative? ›

Personal life. Anschutz prefers to stay out of the limelight. A member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, he is a conservative Christian.

Who owns Coachella land? ›

Worth $10.9 billion, Philip Anschutz owns AEG, the parent company of Coachella.

How much is Philip Anschutz worth? ›

Who was the founder of Coachella? ›

It was co-founded by Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen in 1999, and is organized by Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of AEG Live. The event features musical artists from many genres of music, including rock, pop, indie, hip hop, and electronic dance music, as well as art installations and sculptures.

Who owns Sea Island company? ›

Howard Coffin, the visionary founder of Sea Island Company, is born to a Quaker family on an Ohio farm.

Does Coachella make money? ›

After moving the celebration to two weekends in 2012, the festival earned $47.3 million. Rauw Alejandro comes out as surprise guest at Coachella 2023 during fiancé Rosalía's set.

What is the wealthiest area in Coachella Valley? ›

On the western end is Palm Springs, known for its old Hollywood glamour, stylish resorts, and significant architecture. But more mid-to-east valley, about 30 minutes from Palm Springs, is Indian Wells, which has the area's priciest residential real estate as ranked by median listing price, according to Realtor.com.

How much does Coachella cost? ›

Tiers determine ticket prices—and the earlier you buy, the better. Tier 1 pass prices for general admission start at $549 before fees, tier 2 at $574, tier 3 at $599, and finally, tier 5 for $649. VIP tickets to Coachella are also an option, starting at $1,069.

Who is the richest man in Colorado Springs? ›

Mark Stevens, $3.9 billion.

Who is richest man in the world? ›

Who is the richest man in the world? As of April 1, 2023, the richest man in the world is Bernard Arnault, the CEO and chairman of LVMH of France; he's worth nearly $226 billion. He moved into the number one spot after Elon Musk's fortune fell in late 2022 as shares of electric carmaker Tesla fell.

What religion is Philip Anschutz? ›

A devout Christian, Anschutz is known for his contributions to conservative political causes and for his philanthropy, perhaps most notably to the University of Colorado, whose Anschutz Medical Campus bears his name.

Who quit Coachella? ›

Kanye drops out of Coachella, citing ongoing divorce battle with Kim Kardashian: source. Kanye West has backed out of headlining Coachella, a source close to the artist confirmed to CNN Monday.

Who turned down Coachella? ›

Daddy Yankee spoke on his experience of being invited to perform at Coachella years ago and how he turned the invitation down due to compensation. “The pay was ridiculous,” he claimed.

Who controls Coachella? ›

It was co-founded by Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen in 1999, and is organized by Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of AEG Presents.

What does Anschutz mean? ›

North German (Anschütz): probably a topographic name derived from Middle Low German anschot 'abutment' for someone who lived on or near land abutting water. Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022.

How do the British pronounce couch? ›

Break 'Couch' down into sounds: [KOOCH] - say it out loud and exaggerate the sounds until you can consistently produce them.
...
Below is the UK transcription for 'Couch':
  1. Modern IPA: kʉ́wʧ
  2. Traditional IPA: kuːʧ
  3. 1 syllable: "KOOCH"

How do the British pronounce wrist? ›

Below is the UK transcription for 'wrist': Modern IPA: rɪ́sd. Traditional IPA: rɪst. 1 syllable: "RIST"

What famous people live on Sea Island? ›

Since its development in the 1920s, Sea Island has attracted a well-heeled and powerful clientele, including visits from six United States presidents. In recent years, home owners have included former Attorney General Griffin B. Bell, the Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz and the CBS News anchor Bob Schieffer.

How rich is Sea Island? ›

Oh, and for those who are interested, Sea Island is, of course, in a league of its own with average net worth of $2,787,451 and a wealth ranking of 498. The income and wealth inequality in Glynn County is not a surprise to anyone who has spent much time here.

Is all of Sea Island private? ›

Sea Island is a private, gated island accessible only to Resort Guests and Sea Island Club members. Access to Sea Island, resort facilities including The Cloister, The Lodge, Beach Club, restaurants, and recreation/holiday experiences, shall not be granted if you are not a Resort Guest or Sea Island Club member.

Who is the highest paid performers at Coachella? ›

The Weeknd Is The Highest Paid Artist In Coachella History!

How much did Cardi B make from Coachella? ›

More Stories by Peter. Cardi B makes money moves. And in a new interview with SiriusXM's Shade 45, she reveals just how much money is going to be moving to her bank account when she plays Coachella: $70,000 per day, meaning $70,000 each weekend. That sounds like a lot, and for a normal human being, it would be.

How much does the average person spend at Coachella? ›

Last year, 198,000 tickets were sold for Coachella alone. This year, Coachella attendees will spend at least $399 for basic admission for each weekend of the festival.

How many homeless people are in Coachella Valley? ›

Here are the full results for the nine Coachella Valley cities from the 2022 homeless point-in-time count: Cathedral City: 61 unsheltered (up 39% from 2020); 12 sheltered. Coachella: 74 unsheltered (down 5% from 2020); 0 sheltered. Desert Hot Springs: 48 unsheltered (down 29% from 2020); 15 sheltered.

Where do rich people stay in Palm Springs? ›

Andreas Hills. Andreas Hills is often referred to as the "Bel Air of Palm Springs'' since it's the most exclusive, prestigious, and scenic neighborhood in the desert city. Boasting incredible views of Mount San Jacinto, Andreas Hills has a wide array of homes in different architectural styles.

How much is the cheapest ticket for Coachella? ›

General Admission passes start at $540 up to $1,080 for VIP passes online. At Coachella.com, general admission tickets are available for $549 and $1,609 for VIP. Camping passes are sold out.

What is the age limit to go to Coachella? ›

Is there an age limit/rule? No. The festival is all ages.

What is the most expensive Coachella ticket? ›

Festival undergoes new generational shift. But those who really want to splurge may opt for The Resort at Coachella luxury yurts. Priced at $32,000 for two — up from $25,000 in 2017 — the yurt package includes an array of enticing amenities.

Where do rich people hang out in Colorado Springs? ›

Known for its large, historic homes and modern mansions, The Broadmoor neighborhood in Colorado Springs is among its wealthiest districts. This distinctive neighborhood is located in the Southwest area of Colorado Springs. Residents of this neighborhood enjoy stately architecture dating back to the 1920s-1940s.

Who is the richest celebrity in Colorado? ›

The Richest Celebrity In Every U.S. state
StateCapitalRichest Celebrity
ColoradoDenverTrey Parker
ConnecticutHartfordSeth MacFarlane
DelawareDoverRyan Phillippe
FloridaTallahasseeAriana Grande
46 more rows
Dec 30, 2020

Who is the richest guy in Colorado? ›

Richest billionaires in Colorado
  • #8. Gary Magness. ...
  • #7. James Leprino. ...
  • #6. Kenneth Tuchman. ...
  • #5. Pat Stryker. ...
  • #4. Mark Stevens. ...
  • #3. Charles Ergen. ...
  • #2. John Malone. - Net worth: $9.6 billion (#197 wealthiest in the world) ...
  • #1. Philip Anschutz. - Net worth: $10.9 billion (#167 wealthiest in the world)
Mar 3, 2023

Who is the richest female in the world? ›

T he reign of Françoise Bettencourt Meyers continues. For the third year in a row, the French heiress retains the title of the richest woman in the world, with an estimated net worth of $80.5 billion, $5.7 billion more than last year.

Who is the richest man or human in the world? ›

Top 10 richest people in the world, Jeff Bezos net worth. The world had 2,668 billionaires as of 2022, according to Forbes - but who are the 10 richest people among them? Here are the world's top 10 richest people, what their net worth is and the source of their wealth.

Who has the most cash? ›

Bill Gates

The world's wealthiest billionaire is the king of cash among the top 100 billionaires in the world.

How much land does Philip Anschutz own in Wyoming? ›

His Anschutz Entertainment Group operates more than 350 owned or affiliated arenas and concert venues worldwide. On 320,000 acres in Wyoming, Anschutz aims to build one of the world's biggest wind farms.

What resorts are owned by Anschutz? ›

Xanterra holds the franchise rights to operate resorts inside several major national parks including Crater Lake (Crater Lake Lodge), Death Valley (Oasis at Death Valley), and the Grand Canyon (Bright Angel Lodge, El Tovar Hotel, Maswik Lodge and Phantom Ranch).

What religion is Assembly of God? ›

Assemblies of God, Pentecostal denomination of the Protestant church, generally considered the largest such denomination in the United States. It was formed by a union of several small Pentecostal groups at Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1914.

Who could replace Kanye at Coachella? ›

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has found its replacement for former headliner Kanye West: Swedish House Mafia and the Weeknd, organizers revealed Wednesday in a tweet from the event's official Twitter account.

Why did Kanye pull from Coachella? ›

A source close to Kanye exclusively tells E! News the rapper dropped out of the music festival "to focus on himself." As the source shared, "It's a lot of pressure and stress on him right now." The source also reiterated Kanye's hopes to "repair" his relationship with Kim Kardashian amid their divorce.

Did Michael Jackson go to Coachella? ›

"Michael Jackson never had a Coachella," Jay-Z said about Beyoncé's status as a cultural icon.

Who owns Coachella now? ›

An curved arrow pointing right. Worth $10.9 billion, Philip Anschutz owns AEG, the parent company of Coachella. In addition to entertainment, he built his fortune through commodities including oil and railroads.

Why can't Kanye go to Coachella? ›

No reason was provided for West's cancellation, but earlier this year he threatened to drop off the Coachella bill if Eilish did not apologize to Travis Scott over a perceived slight about the deadly chaos that unfolded at the Houston rapper's Astroworld music festival in November, where 10 people died.

Why did Justin Bieber turn down Coachella? ›

According to TMZ, Justin Bieber turned down an offer to headline the California-based festival in order to focus on his new album. Despite Bieber's absence from Coachella, TMZ added that he's likely to headline in 2024, presumably after he's finished his project.

Where to sleep Coachella? ›

  • The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa. Show prices. ...
  • Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel. Show prices. ...
  • Best Western Plus Las Brisas Hotel. ...
  • Hotel California. ...
  • JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. ...
  • Avalon Hotel & Bungalows Palm Springs. ...
  • Best Western Plus Palm Desert Resort. ...
  • La Quinta Resort & Club, Curio Collection by Hilton.

Why is it called Coachella? ›

The origin of the name Coachella is unclear. Some locals believe it was a misspelling of conchilla, a Spanish word for the small white snail shells found in the valley's sandy soil, vestiges of a lake that dried up over 3,000 years ago.

Who was Coachella founded by? ›

How did the Anschutz family make their money? ›

Over five decades, Philip Anschutz has built fortunes in oil, railroads, telecom, real estate and entertainment. He is the majority owner of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, with a stake in the MLS's Los Angeles Galaxy, plus he owns the Crypto.com Arena, where the Kings play.

Who owns Anschutz Medical Campus? ›

CU Anschutz is the largest academic health center in the Rocky Mountain region.
...
Anschutz Medical Campus.
The seal of The University of Colorado
MottoLet Your Light Shine
TypePublic
Established2006
Parent institutionUniversity of Colorado system
8 more rows

Who runs the Anschutz Foundation? ›

The Anschutz Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Denver, Colorado. It was founded in 1982 by Fred and Marian Pfister Anschutz, the parents of Colorado rancher Sue Anschutz-Rodgers, who serves as chair and president, and of Philip Anschutz, a billionaire businessman.

What resort did Vail just buy? ›

Vail Resorts Announces Acquisition of Alterra, Creating Largest Ski Resort Company in History. NOTE: The below article was published as satire on April 1, 2022.

Who bought Winter Park resort? ›

Alterra Mountain Company

Who is Beaches Resorts owned by? ›

Beaches Resorts and Sandals Resorts are part of Sandals Resorts International (SRI) which is a parent company to five resort brands across seven countries.

Who is the richest family business in the world? ›

The Walton family is the world's richest family, with an estimated net worth of $247 billion. The majority of the family's wealth comes from their ownership of Walmart, the largest retailer in the world, founded in 1962 by Sam Walton.

What is the richest family business in America? ›

Top 50
RankCompanyFamily (Shareholding)
1WalmartWalton family (48.9%)
2Berkshire HathawayBuffett family (37.2%)
3ExorAgnelli family (53.0%)
4Schwarz GroupSchwarz family (100%)
46 more rows

Who was the richest family in America? ›

Walton family. The Walton family's wealth began when Sam Walton established the first Walmart in 1962. Today, Walmart is the largest retailer in the world with over 12,000 stores.

What is the largest hospital in Colorado? ›

The Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center in Denver is Colorado's biggest hospital, with 680 beds. The multi-speciality hospital is run by HealthONE, the largest healthcare system in the Denver metropolitan area and a subsidiary of non-profit health system HCA Healthcare.

What is the acceptance rate for Anschutz School of Medicine? ›

It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,994, and admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of 66%. The university offers 39 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 44%, and a student-faculty ratio of 17:1.

How many hospital beds does Anschutz Medical Campus have? ›

The campus is home to most of the hospital's services with a 678-bed quaternary care hospital, the University of Colorado School of Medicine as well as its schools of Public Health, Nursing, Pharmacy and Dentistry.

Who owns Eagles Nest Ranch? ›

Art Raun - owner - Eagles Nest Ranch | LinkedIn.

Who is the CEO at Anschutz Exploration Corporation? ›

Anschutz Exploration CEO Joe DeDominic shared the private producer's strategy how to succeed in the Powder River Basin at Hart Energy'…

Is Anschutz publicly traded? ›

Anschutz is a private company headquartered in Colorado with an estimated 101 employees.

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