Made in America music festival costs the public dear

Los Angeles taxpayers may be on the hook for $170,000 (Dh624,443) in expenses from the Made in America music festival, which expanded to the West Coast for the first time this summer.

Aides for Mayor Eric Garcetti tell the Los Angeles Times that LiveNation, which staged the two-day event, is required to pay a half-million of the $670,000 tab. The city will pick up the rest.

Expenses stem from services such as police patrols, street closures and trash removal.

The mayor argued on November 10 that the event provided a benefit to the city that exceeded any unreimbursed expenses. Garcetti says it shows LA is capable of hosting a huge outdoor concert.

Tens of thousands attended the August show at downtown’s Grand Park, which featured performers such as Kanye West, John Mayer and Weezer. The festival launched in Philadelphia in 2012.