Welcome to Stagecoach. We’re your guides to the weekend
Follow our live weblog as Times Pop Music Critic Mikael Wood and Senior Audience Editor Vanessa Franko cowl this weekend’s Stagecoach Country Music Festival, from the largest units and shock friends to a go to to Guy Fieri’s Flavortown outpost in the desert.
Well, Vanessa, we’re again. After a quick reprieve following the finish of Coachella, you and I discover ourselves in the desert once more — scorching, dusty and desirous to be amused. I’m wanting ahead to Stagecoach performances by Ella Langley, who at the moment has the No. 1 album and single in the nation, and the raft of ‘90s rock bands on the bill, Bush and Third Eye Blind among them. And I’m curious what Post Malone has in store for his Sunday-night headlining set: Will he do straight nation or do a mix of his Nashville stuff and his old rap hits? — M.W.
Mikael, with all of the ‘90s nostalgia going on, have we considered that Posty could bust out a set of Nirvana’s “Nevermind” like he did throughout the pandemic? That’s not going to occur, however I’m all about time touring to the KROQ Weenie Roast circa 1997. I’m planning to spend so much of time at the new Mustang Stage to see these ‘90s bands you mentioned, plus Counting Crows, Hootie & the Blowfish, The Wallflowers and Journey. In a time when we’re so divided, can something unite us greater than a sing-along to “Don’t Stop Believin’”? — V.F.
Big Weenie Roast vitality right here, my buddy, I agree. Then once more, Cody Johnson as a headliner Friday evening exhibits that Stagecoach remains to be seeking to maintain it down for conventional nation followers. Given the scale of surprises at Coachella — the one and solely Madonna springs to thoughts — I’m wondering who’ll come out unannounced this weekend. Seems like a secure guess that Lainey Wilson has some massive names up her fringed sleeve for Saturday evening. — M.W.
Speaking of friends, Teddy Swims is again after two weekends of bringing out friends at Coachella and all I maintain pondering is will David Lee Roth return for a third weekend to sing “Jump” and will he have a 3rd pair of chevron-patterned stage pants?
But I really like how actually random Stagecoach will get when you’re away from the Mane Stage. Pitbull doing a Saturday late evening set? Don’t cease the occasion. Emo Nite that includes Ashlee Simpson in Diplo’s Honky Tonk? Giddy up and let’s determine line dance to My Chemical Romance. Guy Fieri cooking with Gavin Rossdale, Gavin Adcock, Billy Bob Thornton and Wynonna Judd? Count me in for that fever dream. — V.F.
