July 4, 2012 15:04

Coachella Festival could be forced to move location and not run in 2014

California event's promoters say a new tax could cost punters an extra $36 per ticket

Photo: Joey Maloney/NME

Coachella festival could be forced to move location from its current home of the Empire Polo Club and not take place in 2014 over a row over tax demands.

The California festival, which hosted sets from the likes of Radiohead, Dr Dre, The Black Keys, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Arctic Monkeys and a whole host of others this year, runs over two weekends at the beginning of the summer and is seen as the start of a year's festival season.

The potential problems stem from a proposed admissions tax on entertainment events on more than 2,500 people, which its promoters say would cause the festival and its sister event Stagecoach Festival, to move to a new site.

According to Mydesert.com, the tax would raise ticket prices by $36 (£23) each, something Goldenvoice president Paul Tollett, whose company run the festival, says they cannot abide by.

Speaking about the tax, which is being proposed by California councilor Sam Torres and will be voted on in November, Tollett said: "If the tax initiative of putting $4 million to $6 million onto Coachella gets on the ballot. We're going to take off 2014; 2015 we'll be at a new facility outside of Indio."

The tax was declined last month by Indio City Council, but if Torres, who says that the tax will only add $18 (£11.50) per ticket, gets his way then it will be voted on in November.

For more action from Coachella, including photo galleries and video interviews, head to NME.COM/Coachella

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds are playing at this year's T In The Park, which is taking place July 6-8 in Balado Park, Kinross. To check the availability of T In The Park 2012 tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0871 230 1094.

Video: Kasabian - 'LSF' (Live At Mulberry's Coachella Party)

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