It’s been more than 24 hours since an Indio city councilman announced he would stop pushing for a festival tax to be included on the November ballot — but rumors are still flying about the future of Coachella.
No, Goldenvoice has not confirmed any plans to take Coachella Music and Arts Festival or Stagecoach Country Music Festival away from Indio. No, Coachella 2014 has not been canceled.
Here’s what really gone down in the City of Festivals during the last month:
Wednesday, June 6: Indio City Councilman Sam Torres said he will propose a 5 to 10 percent concert tax be added to tickets.
That night, the Indio City Council declined to even consider his plan, so Torres promised to start a petition to get the measure on the November ballot.
Thursday, June 14: Torres filed a “notice of intent” with the city to to launch a petition drive for the ballot initiative.
Saturday, June 30: The Desert Sun posts exclusive emails between Goldenvoice and city officials. In those emails, promoters vowed that if the tax measure hit the ballot, they would call off Coachella 2014 and find a new home for future years.
Later that day, in response to the story, Councilwoman Lupe Ramos Watson calls for a special meeting to discuss the city’s relationship with Goldenvoice.
Thursday, July 5: Several national sites incorrectly report that Goldenvoice will move the festival out of Indio. The Huffington Post quickly corrected its headline and story, noting that it had “overstated” the Goldenvoice threat to move.
Later that day, Torres said he will suspend his push for the tax to go on the ballot because he and his supporters “take seriously the threat to move the festivals.” That should clear the way for Goldenvoice to stay.






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