Organizer Confirms Desert Trip AKA Oldchella Grossed Approximately $160 Million Thus Far

Desert Trip, the festival featuring The Who, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Neil Young and Roger Waters will take place October 7 – 9 and October 14 – 16 at Empire Polo Field in Indio, California. The man who dreamed up the festival, AEG/Goldenvoice’s Paul Tollett recently revealed the insane amount of money sales for Desert Trip have brought in.

Tollett told the New York Times that “the gross [for Desert Trip] is approximately $160 million for the two weekends.” He also said it’s not a festival that Desert Trip, “is a unique, one-off thing.” So those rumors of a second edition next year may not be true. Tollett said Desert Trip is “the highest-grossing show by far. It beat No. 2, which is Coachella, by far.” Coachella featured over 150 acts while Desert Trip – referred to by some as “Oldchella” – will see performances by just six bands.

Now, bear in the $160 million figure doesn’t take into account expenses including the massive fees paid to each artist which is reportedly between $6 and $9 million. When asked whether Desert Trip will be profitable, Tollett said “We’ll find out in October. But that was the intent, yes.”

The focus of Paul Tollett’s chat with the Times was about this coming weekend’s inaugural Panorama Festival on Randall’s Island in New York City. Tollett reveals the event won’t sell out its capacity of approximately 40,000 per day but adds, “that’s fine” and “we haven’t really been out there begging in the marketing. We’re just throwing it out there and letting people experience it, and hopefully it will build over the years.” LCD Soundsystem, Arcade Fire, Kendrick Lamar, Alabama Shakes and Grace Potter are just a few acts set to play this weekend’s first-ever Panorama. Tickets are on sale via the event’s website.