US Festival Canceled Due to Rising Costs and Market Uncertainty

Just under two weeks after revealing a lineup that included headliners Thundercat, Jack White, and Cigarettes After Sex, the organizers of US festival Desert Daze have announced the cancellation of the 2024 festival. Originally set for October 10-13 in Lake Perris, California, the event has been called off due to "rising production costs and the current volatile festival market." The festival was set to feature performances from artists such as 100 gecs, Fleet Foxes, The Mars Volta, Liz Phair, De La Soul, Marc Rebillet, and Say She She, among many others. This cancellation follows the 2023 Desert Daze festival, which was replaced by a series of smaller events called "Daze In The City," held at clubs and theaters around Southern California. While it remains unclear whether a similar alternative will be organized for 2024, the organizers noted that all other Desert Daze Productions events will continue as planned. Refunds will be available, according to the cancellation notice on the Desert Daze site. “As an independent festival, an increasing rarity in today’s festival market, Desert Daze is run by a small team of people who love live music and this community,” the notice said. “Unfortunately, due to rising production costs and the current volatile festival market, it is no longer possible to execute the weekend as planned.” The notice continued, “We tried everything to find a way forward.” Desert Daze is not alone in the struggle to execute music festivals as planned. Other festivals that have been canceled this year include the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in Mendocino County, the Riverbend Festival in Tennessee and the Sugar Pine Music Festival in Grass Valley. Many others have noticed decreased ticket sales.