Coachella founder explains why Kanye West pulled out of headlining festival

'He had some great production ideas, but we weren't able to pull them off right now'

In this file photo taken on August 28, 2016, musician Kanye West performs on stage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden (AFP/Getty Images)

The co-founder of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has confirmed an earlier report that Kanye West pulled out due to logistical issues.

Paul Tollet, who also founded the ticketing company Goldenvoice, spoke with the Los Angeles Times about West's abrupt exit from the festival shortly before the lineup announcement. He was replaced by new headliner Ariana Grande.

Tame Impala were also promoted to headliners after Justin Timberlake was forced to drop out due to rescheduled tour dates – arranged due to bruised vocal chords – ended up clashing with the festival.

"He [West] had some great [production] ideas, but we just weren't able to pull them off right now," Tollet said. "I'd like to circle back with him and figure out a future plan of what to do with what's in his head... Up until 1 Jan we were making a poster with Kanye on it. We started realising we're probably going to have an impasse production-wise."

West reportedly asked Tolley to build a custom dome in the middle of the festival site, which would be designed by his frequent collaborator John McGuire.

Once he dropped out, Tollet entered talks with Grande to secure her as a headliner, which was confirmed less than 24 hours later.

Asked about criticism over Coachella's lack of female headliners in the past, he commented: "They were right, so correct it. There's been more recently. That should keep going. You shouldn't be afraid to fix things.

"What's bad is when you get defensive. It's systematic in the industry. The submission list is all dudes. A lot of the charts are that way. Everyone needs to do better."

Coachella begins on 12 April 2019 and ends 21 April.