We've always been into Coachella, our one obvious lament being that it was way across the country in California. Naturally, the murmurings from Coachella's organizers that Panorama, the East Coast edition of the music festival, would rage in New York City this season got us amped.
Finally, there's a Coachella we wouldn't have to board a flight and buy a hotel to attend, and it's called Panorama.
Look out Governors Ball, you're no longer the only music festival that will grace the streets, sparkling East River views, and placid enchantment of Randall's Island this year.
Rumor did hold that AEG Live/Goldenvoice, the organizers of all magical musical festivals, would look to the sprawling Flushing Meadows-Corona Park to hold the festival.
This, however, is no longer the case. They've just announced it'll be held on Randall's Island on July 22nd to July 24th, following Mayor de Blasio's announcement that Flushing Meadows-Corona Park would not host music festivals this year.
According to Billboard, and as we all may have expected, backlash from Governors Ball organizers was almost immediate.
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They launched a petition asking Mayor de Blasio to reject Panorama's proposal, as Governors Ball is scheduled for June 3rd to June 5th at the same park. They're concerned that Panorama will eat up Governors Ball's ticket sales.
We can recognize the merit in that concern. Certainly some of the people who would have bought tickets to Governors Ball will probably now buy tickets to Panorama. However, it's hard for us, as third party observers, to be upset about additional jamming.
Goldenvoice also does not plan on giving up on hosting an event at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
"We look forward to continuing our discussions with NYC Parks to create an event to take place in Queens in the future," said Mark Shulman, Festival Producer at Goldenvoice.
goldenvoice #TBT #prayers #soldout @theroxy. They're bringing a #gothicsummer 🔜 @elreytheatre 🌴 💀
This isn't Goldenvoice's first try at launching a festival on the East Coast. In 2008, they launched a festival called All Points West, held in Jersey City's Liberty State Park, but that festival failed after only two years.
We think the main question, of course, is which musical artists will belt out their hearts and souls at the festival. There's no better way to drive ticket sales than through genuine emotion and marketable talent, right?
Panorama's lineup has yet to be announced, but if we're being real, we doubt it can compete with this year's Governors Ball lineup. We mean, they've got Kanye West, the Killers, Death Cab for Cutie, Of Monsters and Men-- we could keep going.
We're curious to see if Panorama could get our attention more heartily than all the head jerking performers we just listed. Honestly, we doubt it, but, we're exceedingly optimistic.
Check out The Lineup for Governors Ball 2016 Is Here and It's Amazing.
[via Billboard] [Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]