Lana Del Rey's Coachella Performance Leads to $28,000 Fine for Festival Organizers

The Coachella Music Festival is facing a $28,000 fine from the city of Indio, California, due to Lana Del Rey's performance on April 19, 2024, running 13 minutes over the curfew. This is not the first time Coachella has been fined for curfew violations, with the total fines for the first weekend of the festival last year amounting to $117,000.

During her set, Del Rey surprised the audience by bringing out Camila Cabello, who performed her new single 'I Luv It.' Cabello praised Del Rey as a "once in a lifetime artist" who has inspired many. Jack Antonoff and Jon Batiste also made surprise appearances during Del Rey's set.

The curfew for Coachella is 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and midnight on Sunday. Despite the fine, this was the only penalty the festival received during its two-weekend run, which is a significant decrease compared to the previous year.

The festival also saw lower crime and arrests, though this may have been due to lower ticket sales, with many passes still available on the website, unlike in previous years where the event sold out quickly. While the decrease in fines and arrests is good for the city, it could be a sign of trouble for Coachella's future.

Why this matters: The fine and the decrease in ticket sales for Coachella 2024 raise questions about the future of the iconic music festival. As one of the most prominent events in the music industry, any significant changes or challenges faced by Coachella could have ripple effects on the festival scene and the artists who rely on such platforms to showcase their talent.

The city of Indio may hand out more fines this weekend as the Stagecoach Music Festival, featuring artists like Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, and Morgan Wallen, is set to take place from April 26 to April 28. The decrease in fines and arrests is seen as a positive for the city, but it may also be a sign of lackluster ticket sales for this year's event, with many passes still available on the website, unlike in previous years where the event sold out quickly.

Key Takeaways

• Coachella fined $28K for Lana Del Rey's 13-min curfew overrun.
• Coachella fines totaled $117K in 2023, but decreased in 2024.
• Surprise guests included Camila Cabello, Jack Antonoff, and Jon Batiste.
• Coachella saw lower crime and arrests, possibly due to lower ticket sales.
• Stagecoach festival also faces potential fines from Indio city.