Sundays are typically a bit slower out at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival. By now, fans that have braved the heat, dust and long hours out on the festival grounds are gearing up for one last party and tonight that comes courtesy of Luke Combs on the Mane Stage.
However, there were plenty of folks up and at ’em early, roaming the venue and hitting up the shaded and air conditioned spots such as the Honky Tonk, which had cool air on full blast and live music from DJ Major along with line dance lessons taught by instructor Christopher Gonzales. The Shein Saloon was big, bold and super colorful, decked out with neon signs, sparkly disco balls and a bedazzled mechanical bull that fans could hop on and take photos with. There were also line dancing lessons, a design-your-own bandana station, numerous plush couches and did we mention the air conditioning?
On the music front, out in the middle of the venue and in the direct sunlight, the SiriusXM Spotlight Stage drew some early fans with sets by Hailey Whitters and Lainey Wilson. The women warmed up the crowd that swelled for Mane Stage opener Lindsay Ell who played her hits “Criminal” and “Want Me Back” and absolutely shredded on guitar. Duo LoCash got people singing and swaying along to its songs “One Big Country Song,” “I Know Somebody” and they brought out The Beach Boys’ Mike Love for their song “Beach Boys” and they also performed “Kokomo” and “Fun, Fun, Fun.” It wasn’t as big of a surprise as Carrie Underwood bringing out Guns N’ Roses vocalist Axl Rose Saturday night, but this fanbase definitely loves a good surprise collaboration and welcomed Love with applause.
Guests continued to shop, order cocktails and dance along to acts like Hayes Peebles and Side Pony on the Horseshoe Stage inside Nikki Lane’s Stage Stop Marketplace and pull up bales of hay at the Palomino Stage for Hayes Carll, Waylon Payne and Rhiannon Giddens.
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Yola, who also played both Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival weekends at the venue, impressed during her turn at the Palomino. She brought the power of soul with her voice to Stagecoach and people cheered when she hit the high notes on songs like “Starlight,” “Dancing Away in Tears,” “Be My Friend” and “Great Divide.” Yola also started a dance party as she grooved along to her song “Dancing Away In Tears,” and the crowd followed suit.
The Stagecoach Country Music Festival continues Sunday with Luke Combs, The Black Crowes, Cody Johnson, Smokey Robinson, The Mavericks and Diplo.
