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Arts & Entertainment

Is Coachella Moving Out of Indio?

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If lawmakers move forward with a proposed tax on entrants to large festivals, Goldenvoice may move Coachella out of Indio, according to the Desert Sun.

The Sun reported today that they got their hands on a series of text messages sent between Goldenvoice vice president Skip Paige and an Indio official, in which they discussed a five to 10 percent tax per ticket for events of over 2,500 people (wonder if they had anything in particular in mind?).

That could mean another $36 per ticket, which Goldenvoice said they would eat rather than tack on to the price of admission, ultimately costing them between $4 million and $6 million.

As of now, the City Council has declined to vote on the proposed tax, which City Councilman Sam Torres tried to put in front of them last month. But Torres may still try to get it on the November ballot, which he has until August 10 to do.

If the tax were to go through, festival promoters say next year would be their last year in Indio.

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