The promoter behind Coachella is developing a “large-scale” music festival in Santa Monica, according to Billboard, signaling a major expansion of Southern California’s live-music footprint. In a separate deal, investor Mark Cuban has backed Emo Night, the nostalgia-driven event brand that has grown into a touring and venue business with a strong SoCal following.
Billboard reports Goldenvoice, the Coachella promoter and AEG division, is partnering with the city of Santa Monica to stage a new festival, though the name, dates, and lineup have not yet been announced. The publication frames the project as part of a broader wave of music-industry investments, which also includes Cutting Edge Group’s acquisition of a prolific composer’s catalog and Musical AI’s latest fundraise.
Emo Night, which began as a club night playing early-2000s hits, has evolved into a multi-city brand with its own venues and a loyal fanbase. Cuban’s investment, detailed in the same Billboard roundup, underscores the commercial strength of theme-driven live experiences that tap into millennial nostalgia. No specific venues, dates, or ticket details were disclosed for the Santa Monica festival or for Emo Night’s upcoming programming.
For Santa Monica, a large-scale festival would add a high-profile anchor to the city’s events calendar and could draw visitors who already flock to the region for Coachella and other festivals. If the festival lands in late spring or summer, it could pair naturally with Coachella weekends and the wider Southern California touring corridor.
Looking ahead, watch for an official announcement from Goldenvoice and Santa Monica with the festival’s name, dates, and initial lineup. Meanwhile, Emo Night’s new capital is expected to fuel more events and possibly new venues. With Disclosure and other major acts already routing 2026 tours through the region, the competition for concertgoers’ attention—and wallets—is only intensifying.
Sources: Billboard, Consequence
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