Coachella Vs. The Volcano

A volcano eruption in Iceland has delayed flights from the U.K., which in turn could affect the lineup at this weekend’s Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, Calif.

it’s unclear when the bans on air travel will be lifted. The U.K.’s prohibition is in effect until 7 a.m. Friday, but could remain in place longer because of the situation, which a spokesman for National Air Traffic Air Services said was “fluid.”

Whatever the outcome, it’s definitely left Coachella organizers Goldenvoice – as well as promoters in the U.S. and across the globe – scrambling to sort out travel plans.

“All the headliners are in the country and we’re in contact with the acts that are having travel issues based on the ash,” Goldenvoice’s Paul Tollett told Pollstar.

One band affected is Bernard Sumner’s latest project, Bad Lieutenant, which is scheduled to play tomorrow night at San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom, as well as Coachella Saturday and two other shows in Chicago and New York City.

The group is scheduled for a flight tomorrow morning pending a decision to rescind the air travel ban by the British Government, but is still planning to be able to make all its gigs.

British Airways issued a statement to travelers informing them that no accommodations or compensation would be provided because of the delays, but “customers booked to travel on cancelled flight can claim a full refund or rebook their flight for a later date.”