Is Coachella Coming to New York?

Article by: Laura Mason|@masonlazarus

Thu October 01, 2015 | 00:00 AM


Who needs a desert? According to the NY Daily News, Coachella promoter AEG Live, is in talks to bring a massive summer festival to New York. 

The festival - currently dubbed "Panorama" - would theoretically take place in Flushing Meadows Coronoa Park in Queens and would go down two weeks after local mainstay, Governor's Ball (In this scenario, Panorama projects to be held on June 17th-19th, 2016). This of course has Governor's Ball organizers up in arms:

“The timing of this corporate-run festival would threaten our ability as a small business to continue putting on the kind of event that has showcased the best artists, created hundreds of local jobs and put millions of dollars back into the city’s economy." -- Tom Russell, of Governor's Ball promoter, Founders Entertainment.

Surprisingly enough, Governor's Ball is currently the only 3-day major music festival in New York City. One would think that Founders, an independent promoter, has had a contingency plan in place for this type of scenario? It better move quick, because the NY Daily News report goes on to allege that AEG Live has already started recruiting acts for Panorama. 

From an industry perspective, this is just how big businesses operate and festivals are no exception. They produce successful events (like Coachella ) and then look to extend their reach into other markets. Look at what Electric Daisy Carnival and Rock in Rio have done recently with their extensions in New Jersey and Las Vegas. This is an example of the budding festival industry taking shape and Governor's Ball would serve themselves well to begin preparing for what seems like an inevitable scenario at the hands of AEG. 

Here's wishing Founders the best in continuing to cultivate an independently promoted festival with Governor's Ball and here's hoping that whatever AEG Live has planned for Panorama, adds to the rich culture of the festival scene we all love. Coexist.