INDIO, Calif. — After a chaotic start to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, organizers are making significant changes for Weekend 2 to alleviate traffic issues that plagued the first weekend. Following complaints from festival-goers who faced hours of waiting to access the campgrounds, the event's management has implemented a series of fixes aimed at improving the experience for attendees.
Last week, many campers reported being stuck in their vehicles for upwards of 12 hours, particularly on Thursday, April 10, when the festival kicked off. The long delays were attributed to a combination of factors, including an unexpected surge in early arrivals and staffing shortages at toll booths. George Cunningham, senior vice president of public safety with Goldenvoice, which organizes the festival, addressed these issues during a La Quinta City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 15.
“Every year, we typically have a lull on Thursday between 1:00 and 6:00 in the evening, where it just dies down,” Cunningham explained. “We didn't have that. Everybody wanted to come early.” This year, the festival's first Thursday night performance, featuring DJ Chris Lake, drew a larger crowd than usual, leading to a rapid buildup of traffic.
By 4:30 p.m. on the opening Thursday, there were already 6,300 campers parked at the venue, a stark contrast to previous years, where such numbers would not be seen until much later in the evening. The influx of vehicles resulted in massive backups on surrounding roads, particularly along Monroe and Madison streets.
In response to the overwhelming traffic, Goldenvoice has taken steps to enhance the flow of vehicles into the festival grounds. Organizers announced that they would be adding 12 new tollbooths for security checks at Lot 2A near Madison Street and Avenue 50. This addition aims to expedite the entry process and reduce congestion on the roads leading to the festival.
“We're going to get the vehicles off the streets, and we're going to get them in lots so we can lessen the impact on the community,” Cunningham stated. He acknowledged that while he could not guarantee a completely smooth operation, he assured attendees that the impact would be significantly less than what was experienced during the first weekend.
Festival-goers have already begun to notice improvements. Many reported that things were running more smoothly during the early hours of Weekend 2, with traffic conditions being described as manageable. “When planning this trip, we knew that Weekend 2 would be better because they fixed all the issues from Weekend 1,” remarked Abraham Flores, a festival-goer. “Weekend 1 was all the traffic, the mess, people in line for 10 hours.”
Angelina Dieu, another attendee, expressed a similar sentiment: “I actually did not have concerns because a lot of people like to go to Weekend 1, including influencers. Weekend 2 is more of like a chill weekend, so I don’t think it’ll be that packed.”
In addition to the traffic concerns, the festival faced criticism regarding restroom facilities. Councilmember Kathleen Fitzpatrick, who resides near the Empire Polo Club, voiced her frustration during the council meeting, stating, “It was unacceptable because I find it reprehensible to invite all of these people into our community and then have no place for them to use facilities for restrooms, no place to get water.”
She described the situation as embarrassing, noting that residents had reported human waste on the streets due to the lack of adequate facilities for festival-goers. “How do you reconcile that in our city?” she questioned, highlighting the need for better planning and community consideration.
In light of the feedback received, Cunningham emphasized that festival organizers are committed to improving the situation not just for Coachella but also for the upcoming Stagecoach country music festival, scheduled for April 25-27. He indicated that adjustments would be made based on the outcomes of Weekend 2 to ensure a better experience for all attendees.
Mayor Pro Tem Deborah McGarrey raised concerns about how traffic updates are communicated to festival-goers before their arrival, especially given the delays that persisted well into the evening on the first Thursday. Mayor Linda Evans, however, noted that traffic seemed to improve as the weekend progressed, drawing parallels to past challenges faced by the festival.
“I think a few years go by really smoothly, and then something occurs,” Evans said, referencing previous years when weather-related issues had caused delays. “This year, it’s the add of a big performer in the campground area, so it’s a new flex that people weren’t used to, combined with the situation and the concerns and the issues that occurred.”
As the festival continues this weekend, attendees and local residents alike will be watching closely to see if the changes implemented will result in a more seamless experience. With the promise of improvements and a commitment to addressing community concerns, the hope is that Weekend 2 of Coachella will not only meet but exceed expectations.
Stay tuned for updates as the festival unfolds and the community continues to engage with the organizers on ensuring a positive experience for everyone.
