West Wouldn’t Be Headlining For Coachella after The Festival Turned Down His Request

BuzzFebruary 13, 2019

Kanye’s Last Minute Request

On the 1st of January 2019, coming only two days prior to the co-founder of Coachella, Paul Tollett, was going to announce that Kanye West was one of those who would headline the festival, Kanye West decided to surprise the promoter of the concert at the very last minute.

Rather than having his performance on the primary Coachella stage, the singer told Tollett to build a massive and custom-made dome for him so he could perform in the center of the event’s location. He wants the dome designed by John McGuire, his set designer, and collaborator.

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West told Tollett to build a massive and custom-made dome for him so he could perform in the center of the event’s location

Senior executives of Goldenvoice, the parent company of Coachella explained to him that it would not be possible to construct the dome within four months and that they would have to alter a lot of arrangements of the festival site, such as removing several portable bathrooms.

However, their explanation irritated West who has received their call while he was on vacation with members of his family. According to sources, the singer said it was the responsibility of Goldenvoice to handle the bathrooms.

Before the end of the day, Tollett, as well as members of his team, had reached out to Scooter Braun asking if Ariana Grande could take West’s place. Earlier in December, Braun had ended the professional relationship that existed between himself and West and that according to sources was the second time in 2018 when the rapper and his mega-manager would split up.

Less than a day after he pulled out, it was confirmed that Grande would perform the last night. Also, Tame Impala, the Australian rock band got to take Justin Timberlake’s spot who had to exit the lineup because the dates he rescheduled for his tours clashed with the radius clause of Coachella.

Coachella’s Reputation

The festival which would span the course of two weekends is scheduled to hold between 12th of April and 14th of April on one hand and 19th-21st of April on the other. That would mark the 20th season celebration, and the brand power is sufficient to withstand demands of celebrities such as West while still being able to sell tickets worth millions.

The event for 2019 sold out the first tickets release in one day as it sold out in 6 hours this year. There were also lots of talk around the lineup that includes Pusha T and Bad Bunny.

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The festival which would span the course of two weekends is scheduled to hold between 12th of April and 14th of April on one hand and 19th-21st of April on the other

West’s Reasons For Demands

Kanye West’s involvement in Coachella has been underway for the past couple of years, and as the announcement approached, the singer’s representatives were asking Goldenvoice to construct a dome for the star which wouldn’t be near the main stage. It would also be big enough to take a large number of fans who make their way to the venue every April.

West wanted to perform in the dome’s center which would have featured immersive video and high-tech production. It would have topped his flying stage which he used during his 2016 tour as well as that floating glass box which he used at Camp Flog Naw.

His complaint about Coachella’s main stage was that it wasn’t big enough for him to perform. However, the officials of Goldenvoice told him that past headliners like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé successfully performed on that stage with several dancers as well as musicians on that stage. It was also noted that the Coachella stage was actually one of the biggest in North America.

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His complaint about Coachella’s main stage was that it wasn’t big enough for him to perform.

Previous Requests

A little while after they concluded the call on the 1st of January, Goldenvoice made the decision to end the proposed deal with West, particularly because there was no signed contract with him neither had he been paid any sum.

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West was close to getting another headline spot at New York’s Governors Ball, but the promoters turned down his request

As a matter of fact, Coachella was not the only festival that West had disagreed with the promoter. Sources claimed that he was close to getting another headline spot at New York’s Governors Ball, but the promoters turned down the dome request he made last minute and subsequently part ways with him just one day before the announcement of the lineup.