One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Coachella Craziness: Desperate Fans Offer to Swap Kidneys or Medical Services for Tickets That Sold Out in Three Hours
At Coachella 2011 (Photo by Joey Maloney/LAist)
If you weren't ready to buy Coachella passes at the stroke of 10 am this morning, chances are you're going to have to pay a scalper a little (but probably a lot) extra if you want to go to the festival this year.
Passes for both weekends sold out within three hours, organizers told KFI News. Even some irate fans who had were ready to go got stranded on the dreaded "Standing By" page.
Some of the more forlorn folks are already on Craigslist promising they'll do almost anything to get a pass. One "hardcore" fan offered to pay $800 or $900. One poster who we're going to call Dr. Coachella offered medical services:
I am a board-certified primary care MD in the Manhattan Beach and West LA area, and an avid music fan. I will trade Medical Care Services for Coachella weekend 1 and/or weekend 2 GA passes and car camping passes.
Lemme know what you need, and lets see if we can strike up a deal. As you know, medical care is UNGODLY expensive, so so this could be HUGELY in your favor, financially.
One poster offered his/her "good kidney:" "Give me 2 coachella passes I give you 1 kidney. Plain and Simple." Someone should tell this guy/gal a kidney is worth AT LEAST 3 passes on the black market.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
