I did too sadly. Although the warehouse was super packed compared to recent years and Despacio was packed the whole time. Nonetheless the Waymo scandal was the last nail on the coffin.
I donât know if they were IN the Waymos (maybe?) but a bunch of Waymos did indeed get stuck/confused in the road and blocked people from driving in/out for quite a while. My shuttle bus was also stuck behind some confused Waymos for almost an hour at the end of the night. So excruciating.
They offered a 25% off tickets as a promotion with Waymo* about a month before the festival. It pissed off many loyalists (Iâm a 4 time goer and got an email saying weâd get the cheapest âloyalty saleâ ticket but we got tier 1 and it stayed tier 1 lol).
Many people were upset and vocal about refunds, some apparently got upgrades although who knows if thatâs true, and even edm pages posted about it. Wasnât a good look. Also since this essentially meant the ticket was $300, it became even more clear they were overpricing the festival since the beginning since many werenât going for the price tag of $400+ for a 2 day local festival.
Keeping the buzz going after World Cup, the city is partnering with Goldenvoice, a division of AEG Presents and one of the nationâs leading producers of large-scale music events, to produce a new music and cultural festival on Santa Monicaâs coastline in fall 2026.
"Partnering with the city of Santa Monica to bring a yearly music festival to the Pier is a true honor for us,â said Melissa Ormond, Goldenvoice COO and COO of Festivals for AEG Presents. âWe can't wait to bring world class music and artists to one of the most beautiful urban locations in the state."
The inaugural festival concept envisions a single-day event with an estimated capacity of 30,000 to 35,000 attendees. Programming would include 12 to 15 musical artists, curated food and beverage offerings, festival and artist merchandise, art installations, partnership activations, and guest services such as restrooms, lockers, and water stations.
Goldenvoice has indicated its intention to design a festival that aligns with the character of Santa Monica, encourages attendance by residents, and drives economic activity for local hotels, restaurants, and retail prior to and during the event.
The concert would return in fall 2027 and fall 2028 as an annual event.
Why would they need to increase anything? The metro can handle the crowds. And tons of bus routes run down Wilshire and Santa Monica Blvd. This will be one of the easiest LA area events to attend by public transit.
if this is true and a decent lineup, i would totally go. cheaper than coachella, i can stay with friends in LA and still be at the beach. sounds like a win win
Hopefully this is in addition to Portola and not a replacement
Was thinking the same since a couple reliable leakers hinted portola may be done đ
Portola felt so empty this year attendance wise. We kept calling it the last portola :/
I did too sadly. Although the warehouse was super packed compared to recent years and Despacio was packed the whole time. Nonetheless the Waymo scandal was the last nail on the coffin.
What was the waymo scandal?
i remember hearing that a couple artists were late to their Portola sets because they took waymos lol
That was 2024âs waymo scandal lol.
What was this years??
Oop never responded above but now I did.
You didnât mention Waymo at all lol
I donât know if they were IN the Waymos (maybe?) but a bunch of Waymos did indeed get stuck/confused in the road and blocked people from driving in/out for quite a while. My shuttle bus was also stuck behind some confused Waymos for almost an hour at the end of the night. So excruciating.
This was 2024
They offered a 25% off tickets as a promotion with Waymo* about a month before the festival. It pissed off many loyalists (Iâm a 4 time goer and got an email saying weâd get the cheapest âloyalty saleâ ticket but we got tier 1 and it stayed tier 1 lol).
Many people were upset and vocal about refunds, some apparently got upgrades although who knows if thatâs true, and even edm pages posted about it. Wasnât a good look. Also since this essentially meant the ticket was $300, it became even more clear they were overpricing the festival since the beginning since many werenât going for the price tag of $400+ for a 2 day local festival.
Edit: *forgot to add Waymoâs involvement đ.
Oh, this. Was this offered thru Waymo?
Did it? It was actually at ~38,000 people per day which was perfect imo. 2024 was way too packed.
No way! I never got to make it out for it
I think it was more than hinted?
The lease on it was for 5 years right? That sure sucks
i heard at first that portola wasnât coming back but agents are routing artists around Portola, so it seems to be returning
Damn, massive news!
Portola is in San Francisco
What part didn't you get?
Keyword replacement
Portola was the worst festival I've ever attended.
https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2025/12/17/santa-monica-to-take-center-stage-with-new-annual-music-festival-and-big-name-activations-as-fifa-world-cup-2027-super-bowl-la28-olympics-paralympics-come-to-los-angeles-region
Coachella website seems updated. New artists info for art installationâs ?
How about another no values tour
I mean. Itâs like a half hour ride on the expo line. Of course Iâm going.
Lorde is gonna headline
See you on the E line to the beach. No way I'm getting in the long line to get off on the 4th st exit on the 10 freeway for this festival.
I think the info for new artists - art installations is posted on the website. Website looks updated.
hopefully they can increase public transportation for this
would be nice to just park at a station and take the metro
Why would they need to increase anything? The metro can handle the crowds. And tons of bus routes run down Wilshire and Santa Monica Blvd. This will be one of the easiest LA area events to attend by public transit.
It's never enough for the surge at the end
Living in Santa Monica will finally come in handy. Iâll walk there.
dont worry, politics of santa monica will fuck it up and nothing will happen
Figures
if this is true and a decent lineup, i would totally go. cheaper than coachella, i can stay with friends in LA and still be at the beach. sounds like a win win
Isnât this old news?
It was just announced yesterday.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Coachella/s/6MI6P5y4Wb Was posted here 10 days ago
appears to be and officially announced are two different things.
I saw that. Just making it official. Surprised they announced it will be in 2026,2027 and 2028.
"would" return...so assuming it's not an absolute failure