Coachella is held at the epicenter of world musical culture – a world scene where performances have repercussions far beyond the desert. Such a platform requires the responsibility, that which Paul Tollett and the promoters of the AEG / Goldenvoice festival abandoned when they put the scene to La Platula, an Irish group with a public record to encourage terrorist groups and promote hatred. In my opinion, it was not an error. It was a choice.
And when the hate’s speech came out of the scene, it was not only heard by the thousands of people present. It was broadcast on social networks, third party deliveries and endless deputies, amplifying their venom to millions. It was not a bang noise in a diving bar heard only by their fans. It was on stage at the Coachella world megaphone.
What was Paul Tollett expect?
Tollett, the founder of Coachella, spoke of the cultural meaning of the festival, his responsibility towards the public, the creation of a “safe” and “inclusive” space. So where was this responsibility when the red flags lived around the patella were raised – again and again – by people from our business who knew what was going to happen?
The affiliations, politics and patella tactics are not secrets. And they are not subtle. Their ideology and provocations have long been part of their brand. Paul and Goldenvoice had a great warning. They did not act. They did not speak. And worse – they still didn’t do it.
Let’s be clear: it is not artistic freedom. I am a first amendment near the absolutist. It is a question of allowing the speech of hatred. It is a question of aligning a carefully organized and coveted brand – and its audience – with a group whose words and symbols glorify violence and celebrate those who commit it. It is a question of re -tasting the Jewish participants – and others, including many adolescents. It is the rhetoric that has torn the injuries left by sexual assault and the slaughter of young music lovers at the Nova festival, people who are not different from those in this crowd of the desert.
The public was forced to participate in a display that was not only offensive – it was dangerous.
So what now?
What does the responsibility look like when a $ 600 ticket buy that you fear instead of joy, hostility instead of unity? What is the responsibility of an organizer when it provides a platform to the groups that violate the very principles that music aims to raise?
Tollett cannot hide behind the silence. Goldenvoice or AEG. And either the music industry. As a Jewish setting that spent my life in this company. I celebrated its power to raise, inspire, unite. But I looked at this moment with an amazed disbelief. And I heard those responsible.
I think each link of the chain has failed. Reservation agents for stage managers, brand partners with artists’ links. Everyone had the chance to say that it is not good. And no one did. The result? Coachella has become a vehicle not for joy, but for intimidation. Not for healing, but for evil. It shouldn’t happen.
We are proud to be cultural leaders. Let us focus on the construction of bridges that do not burn them. So now the question is: what will we do about it? Will Tollett address the tumult? Will Goldenvoice apologize-not only with business platitudes, but with significant action? Visiting the Nova exhibition as Tollett did not delete it from responsibility. If anything, the fact that he had a window on the horrors that these festival -goers have endured make his decision all the more disappointing to close their eyes for this. Will industry be held and will draw a line between freedom of expression and hatred platforms?
We will see. But know this: the silence of people responsible in our industry is no longer ignorance. It is a bond. And for my part, I will not forget.
Lee Trink is a veteran of the music industry who was previously president of Capitol Records and former director of major artists. As a co-founder of the Esports and Entertainment Faze Clan brand, he spent his career at the intersection of music, the media and young people.
