INDIO, CA (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Coachella promoter Goldenvoice says that that 2013 will be the final year for Coachella in Indio California, after city officials attempted to add an $18 ticket tax for 2014.
Goldenvoice president Paul Tollett told the Desert Sun that both Coachella and its sister festival, Stagecoach would be taking their business elsewhere. According to Goldenvoice, the festival produces more than $800,000 in ticket fees, tax revenue on about $9 million in food and beverages sold, and a Transient Occupancy Tax of more than $800,000.
"We think this tax is outrageous for all the things we've done with Indio," Tollett said.
City Councilman Sam Torres had been heading up the effort to get the ticket tax on the ballot for November, but quickly backed off when Goldenvoice indicated that they planned to move. According to the Desert Sun, Torres has indicated that he is willing to abandon the initiative if he can join in on negotiations to strike a long-term deal to keep Goldenvoice at the Empire Polo Club.
"Paul's words have been ringing in my ears," Torres said. "He's got a strong will. He can definitely make good on it."
Despite this, Torres maintains that Tollett might have been “positioning” and “posturing” as a bargaining ploy but not so, according to Goldenvoice vice president Skip Paige.
"You know were moving right? All this is a game. Why in the world would we stay where we are not wanted. LQ doesn't want us; Indio wants to take all our profits. It’s a joke," Paige said to Torres via text. "We made the decision to move out of Indio the day we got our 2 year permit."
Goldenvoice has not indicated where they plan to move the festival, which is named for the Coachella Valley where Indio is located. Earlier this year, Goldenvoice purchased the grounds on which the festival has been staged and undertook upgrades to the sight. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
