Head Trip Takes Over

 DLNews Entertainment: Team Chuyita & Juan Suarez

Indio knows how to handle a festival weekend. Still, when Calvin Harris, Skrillex and Swedish House Mafia are on the invitation list, it pays to organize more than your playlist.

Head Trip, Goldenvoice’s new electronic music festival, arrives at the Empire Polo Club Saturday and Sunday, October 10–11, bringing two days of dance music—and some decidedly slower movement on surrounding roads.

The debut’s lineup gives fans plenty to build a weekend around. Saturday features Calvin Harris, Fisher, Chris Lake and a back-to-back pairing of Peggy Gou and Four Tet. Sunday brings Skrillex, Swedish House Mafia, DJ Harvey, the Blessed Madonna and Dom Dolla playing back-to-back with Kettama.

For electronic music fans, those shared sets add another reason to arrive early: two artists trading selections can take a performance in directions neither might follow alone.

Indio community services manager Jim Curtis expects approximately 70,000 people. Campgrounds open at noon Friday, October 9, giving the weekend its first wave of arrivals. On both festival days, parking opens at 1 p.m. and gates at 3 p.m. The event is for adults 18 and older.

Saturday’s music runs until 1 a.m. Sunday; Sunday’s program finishes at midnight heading into Monday. Anyone arranging a ride home should plan for those late departures.

Head-trip

Avenue 50 is already closed between Madison and Monroe streets, with reopening expected around 6 p.m. Sunday, October 18. Yes, that is the following weekend. Nearby residents will be navigating that closure after the last festival set has finished.

Monroe Street between avenues 50 and 52 will also close during the festival weekend. Curtis says the city will evaluate that safety measure for possible use during April’s festivals.

The heaviest arrival traffic is expected around 2–3 p.m. both days along Jefferson, Monroe and Jackson streets and Avenue 52. Avenue 48, Highway 111 and Dr. Carreon Boulevard offer alternatives around the Avenue 50 closure; Avenue 52 is another option, although it will also carry festival traffic.

Official shuttles and carpooling can simplify the trip. Follow event directions and traffic personnel, and check the festival app before leaving.

Elsewhere, Monterey Avenue construction continues in Palm Desert, with Cook Street recommended as an alternative. Starting October 12, southbound Bob Hope Drive at Dinah Shore Drive drops to one lane through October 23.

Residents or businesses facing festival access problems can call 760-391-4112.

Bring your dancing shoes—and give the drive a little breathing room.