Neon Desert Music Festival changes location to area near City Hall
The Neon Desert Music Festival announced a change of venue for the 2019 two-day event.
Organizers said the move from San Jacinto Plaza to 300 N. Kansas St., at the intersection of Texas Avenue, was to “provide more viewing space” giving fans a better experience.
“This site allows us to stay downtown, keep the streetcar operational during the event and to also activate the businesses: hotels, restaurants, bars and others that are in the downtown area, so they’re less affected by the closures,” said Bryan Crowe with Destination El Paso.
Concerns of downtown business owners were taken into account regarding the location change in an effort to limit the impact, according to a Destination El Paso presentation. The new location will also promote the streetcar usage.
City Representative Cassandra Hernandez Brown told ABC-7 she does not understand why festival organizers would move the event away from San Jacinto Plaza. “I’m really struggling trying to find out why it’s an issue,” said Hernandez Brown, “”This whole area does not provide the same amenities that you would see in the old footprint.”
Crowe told ABC-7 private property owners near San Jacinto would no longer rent their property to festival organizers. “Those were surface areas that they would be able to rent out to provide additional amenities,” said Crowe.
The first day will be headlined by Pop singer Miguel, electronic music acts Rezz and Steve Aoki. The second day will include rappers Wiz Khalifa and Young Thug. Neon Desert is scheduled for May 25 and May 26.
Wiz Khalifa will be making a return to the festival after performing in 2014. One day after his performance, he found himself in legal trouble after being arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia at the El Paso International Airport. He pled guilty to a lesser charge and paid a $500 fine.
The festival’s first day will also include, reggaeton star Don Omar, R&B singer Tory Lanez and rapper Tyga.
Other performers for the second day include rising start Kali Uchis and rapper Gunna.
