The Coachella Valley Music and Arts and the Stagecoach Country Music festivals that were scheduled to take place in April have been canceled due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Cameron Kaiser, the public health officer for Riverside County, announced the cancellation on Twitter. “Due to the pandemic, Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser today (Jan. 29) signed a public health order canceling Coachella Valley Music and Arts, Stagecoach Country Music festivals planned for April 2021,” he tweeted. “We look forward to when the events may return.”
This postponement marks the third time the two-weekend festival has had to change their dates due to the outbreak. Travis Scott, Frank Ocean and Rage Against The Machine were set to headline the massive festival. DaBaby, Summer Walker, Megan Thee Stallion, 21 Savage, Lil Uzi Vert, Ari Lennox and more were also expected to perform. New dates for the festival have not been announced.
According to the official order, health officials are worried that the events may cause a “resurgence of COVID-19” in the area and across the country. The order is intended to reduce the spread of the virus. “If COVID-19 were detected at these festivals, the scope and number of attendees and the nature of the venue would make it infeasible, if not impossible, to track those who may be placed at risk,” states the order.
Fans on social media were sad to hear the news, but not surprised. Music journalist @BiancaEnRogue tweeted, “The third Coachella cancellation was inevitable, but it’s still wild to see the same things from last year’s pandemic continue to repeat in 2021. Such a tragic deja vu…”
“Coachella canceled again this year,” tweeted @StephanyRosas_. “Not surprised, but damn God really doesn’t want me to see Frank Ocean live.”
Twitter user @19_comunidad wrote, “This is no surprise to those of us who haven’t been ignoring the pandemic… Coachella 2021 is officially canceled. Sorry, influencers. Try not to take it out on the good people of Tulum.”