Head Trip music festival brings Indio road closures Oct. 9-11
Delays expected around Empire Polo Club, and a hotline is available for short-term rental concerns.
Residents in Indio are gearing up for a new music festival this weekend. Following in the footsteps of previous one-off festivals presented by Goldenvoice like the classic rock Desert Trip in 2016 and the heavy metal Power Trip in 2023, this year’s Head Trip festival is a two-day EDM festival running Oct. 10-11 with a lineup including Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia, and Skrillex.
Drivers and residents near the Empire Polo Club should expect road closures and major delays starting Friday.
The city said major delays are expected on Avenue 49, Avenue 50, Avenue 52, Washington Street, Jefferson Street and Monroe Street during those three days. Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time, follow posted traffic controls and consider alternate routes such as Highway 111, Jackson Street and Fred Waring Drive.
No pedestrian or festival access will be allowed on Monroe Street between Avenue 49 and Avenue 52, or on Madison Street between Avenue 50 and Avenue 52. Separately, Avenue 50 between Madison Street and Monroe Street remains closed through Oct. 19.
The website lists the venue curfew as 1 a.m. Saturday and midnight Sunday.
The city asked residents and visitors to call 9-1-1 for emergencies only. Nonemergency concerns can be directed to the Indio Police Department at (760) 391-4051, and reports of city code violations can be filed online. Residents with concerns, including short-term rental complaints, can call the city’s hotline at (760) 541-4222.
Community Services Manager Jim Curtis told the Indio Community Services Commission in September that organizers expect about 4,500 cars, representing roughly 10,000 people traveling by vehicle and camping onsite. That compares with about 40,000 campers typically accommodated during Coachella and Stagecoach, Curtis said.
Because of the lower camping demand, most areas normally used for camping will be converted to parking, and the lots will have more entrances, Curtis said. “We’re hoping to get cars off the street, away from the neighborhoods, not blocking driveways on apartment buildings and apartment complexes or other community complexes as well,” he said.
Coachella daily attendance is estimated to be around 125,000, and Desert Trip and Power Trip each had an estimated 70,000-80,000 attendees.
Two-day general admission passes are no longer available. Two-day general admission with shuttle starts at $589, two-day VIP starts at $899, and hotel packages are also offered. The festival will stream live on Apple Music on Oct. 10 and 11.
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