Pollstar (10/13/21) Speer, Deborah

Goldenvoice, producer of the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals in California, will no longer require proof of COVID-19 vaccination from ticketholders. Instead, festivalgoers will be allowed onto the grounds with a negative COVID test within 72 hours of entry or proof of vaccination, according to statements posted on both event websites on Oct. 12. Goldenvoice said they made this decision "[a]fter seeing first-hand the low transmission data and successful implementation of safety protocols at our festivals recently, alongside the rising vaccination rate of eligible Americans." Vaccination was previously mandatory for Goldenvoice and parent AEG staff as well as concertgoers for other shows performed after Oct. 1, and it remains unclear whether the change impacts shows between Oct. 1 and the Coachella kickoff the weekend of April 15-17. An easing of vaccination requirements is significant because the festival ecosystem often follows Coachella's lead. Goldenvoice said the Coachella and Stagecoach festivals' health and safety policies are "regularly updated in consideration for our fans, artists and event workers based on our ever-developing circumstances."

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