Coronavirus: Coachella music festival officially postponed
Organisers have issued a statement
Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in California has officially been postponed until the autumn because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The music festival takes place over two weekends each spring, and this year it was due to take place on 10th to 12th April and 17th to 19th April.
Rage Against The Machine were due to headline the Friday nights with Radiohead's Thom Yorke, Lana Del Rey, Idles, Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris and Fatboy Slim among the artists on the bill.
Exactly a month before the first weekend was due to start, promoters Goldenvoice issued a statement last night (10th March) explaining that the event will now take place in October 2020 due to coronavirus.
"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,” Goldenvoice wrote.
“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 19, 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."
Around 250,000 people were due to attend Coachella at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California next month.
Yesterday, KISS cancelled all their meet and greets due to coronavirus fears, Pearl Jam postponed their entire North American tour and Santana axed their European tour including shows in Glasgow, London and Dublin.
Last week, Whitesnake postponed their Asian tour due to coronavirus and Queen + Adam Lambert announced their gig at Paris AccorHotels Arena on 26th May 2020 won’t be going ahead as planned.
Iowan masked metallers Slipknot also cancelled their entire Asian tour, including their two headline shows at Knotfest Japan, due to coronavirus.
Other bands who have postponed or axed tour in recent days and weeks include Green Day, Lacuna Coil, Behemoth, Pixies, Trivium and Testament.