Coachella Weekend Two Kicks Off

The second weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival kicks off Friday, with performances by 57 acts, including Interpol, Tame Impala, and headliners AC/DC.

The sold-out festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio runs through Sunday, with the same lineup as last weekend.

More than 90,000 people are expected to attend during the course of the weekend and a study commissioned by the festival’s promoter, Goldenvoice, determined that the event contributes an estimated $254 million to the Coachella Valley’s economy.

A total of 93 people were arrested during the event’s first weekend, mostly for drug- and alcohol-related crimes, police said. That’s up from the 80 individuals who were arrested during the festival’s first weekend last year.

One concertgoer from San Diego was killed Saturday after being hit by a train while walking on the tracks in Indio.

Camping at the festival began Thursday and events surrounding the festival, including pool parties and an art exhibit, are also underway. Festivalgoers can use their wristbands to get discounts at local businesses. Discount information is at festivals.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com.

Roads will be closed and traffic delays are expected, according to the city of Indio. The closures are at:

• Avenue 49 between Hjorth and Monroe streets
• Avenue 50 between Madison and Jackson streets
• Hjorth between avenues 49 and 50
• Madison between avenues 49 and 52

Delays are expected on:

• Southbound Jefferson, Washington and Monroe streets, from Interstate 10 to Avenue 52
• Highway 111 at Jefferson and Monroe
• Eastbound I-10 exits at Jefferson and Monroe

North and southbound travelers should use Washington, Jackson, Calhoun Street and Golf Center Parkway, and east and westbound travelers should use Fred Waring Drive, Miles Avenue and avenues 48 and 52, according to the city.

Taxis will be at the southwest corner of Avenue 49 and Monroe, and parents can pick up and drop kids off at Avenue 52 and Madison. About 30,000 people will be shuttled to and from the polo club from around the Coachella Valley to ease traffic, according to the city.

Pedestrians won’t be allowed on Monroe between avenues 49 and 52; there will be pedestrian access at Avenue 49 and Monroe and Avenue 52 and Madison. Golf carts won’t be permitted on any of those streets.

High temperatures in Indio this weekend are expected to run from the high 80s to low 90s, according to the National Weather Service.

Information about the festival is available at coachella.com. With other questions or problems, call the city at (760) 541-7800 or email concertinfo@indio.org.

— City News Service.

(Image via Shutterstock)