Coachella Could Leave Indio, Calif. in 2014 Over Tax Increase

2013 may be the last year to see Coachella in Indio, Calif. According to L.A. Weekly, festival organizers are threatening to leave the city's Empire Polo Club, Coachella's home for the past 10 years.

A new tax initiative, proposed by Indio city councilman Sam Torres, would tack on an extra five-to-10 percent charge on admission fees to events with attendance above 2,500 people.

Goldenvoice (festival organizer) president Paul Tollett tells Coachella Valley's Desert Sun that he estimates the tax to increase ticket prices by $36 -- which he refuses to do. The city of Indio has decided not to consider councilman Torres' tax hike, but that hasn't stopped him from stumping for the cash.

Torres has begun a petition drive to secure the tax on the upcoming Aug. 10 ballot. He would need around 2,700 signatures.

Coachella Fest organizers do not wish to leave the Coachella Valley, but threat of a new tax has pushed them to search for other venues. "We've spent money on options for new venues," Tollet says. "I regret that, but I had to. There's too much uncertainty. In any other place, this festival would have had a long-term deal. We have it with the venues. With the city, it's been this year-to-year thing."

If the new tax proposal passes, Tollet says the festival would take 2014 off, and return in 2015 in a new location. Would you miss Coachella if it left Indio?

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