The 2024 edition of the biggest country music event in the world, Stagecoach Festival, is now one for the record books. The Goldenvoice festival yet again delivered a once-in-a-lifetime line-up for music fans who flocked to Southern California to catch their favorite artists with country lovers around the world tuning in via the Amazon Music livestream.
With an eclectic bill full of next level performances, surprise pop in’s from other acts playing the festival, and unexpected guest appearances from artists in every genre, Stagecoach Festival 2024 reestablished how country music is defined. The weekend was truly a family affair, with artists throughout the bill supporting each other in style.
On Friday, headliner Eric Church treated fans to an intimate, soulful performance, while early aughts rock legends Nickelback kicked off the first of the weekend’s epic Late Night at Palomino sets, featuring guest moments with fellow Stagecoachers Jelly Roll, Bailey Zimmerman, and HARDY. Jelly Roll himself played an incredible set on the T-Mobile Mane Stage, bringing out special guest T-Pain and asking the entire festival to sing “happy birthday” to his daughter, while rock ‘n’ roll crooner Paul Cauthen brought out his friend and Coachella headliner Lana Del Rey to end his set. Elle King, Hailey Whitters, and Zach Top kept audiences singing along to every word, while Carin León packed the Palomino tent with his Tejano-inspired country. The night also saw a fantastic set by Cheat Codes at Diplo’s HonkyTonk, which had guest appearances by Young Gravy, Dixie D’Amelio, and Maddie & Tae.
Saturday wrapped with Miranda Lambert playing a brilliant set of hits; she also brought out country icon Reba McEntire to punctuate both her legacy and the lineage of amazing women breaking boundaries in country music. Post Malone played his first-ever festival set full of country covers; he made the genre his own, with special guests Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, and Dwight Yoakam. The Chainsmokers made their Stagecoach debut, packing the HonkyTonk to the brim with a special moment from Shaboozey, who was recently featured on Beyonce’s album Cowboy Carter, while the brilliant Leon Bridges – also playing Stagecoach for the first time – owned the Palomino stage in the early evening, bringing out Carin León during his set. Willie Nelson & Family created a moment of country music royalty at the festival, while Diplo returned for his now-legendary slot as Saturday’s Late Night at Palomino headliner, bringing out special guests Elle King, HARDY, and Shaboozey. Throughout the day, artists like ERNEST, Luke Grimes, Maddie & Tae, Tanner Adell, and Kylie Morgan wowed fans with unforgettable performances across the festival.
The festival was closed out on Sunday with a tremendous set by one of the biggest country stars of the last decade: Morgan Wallen. Wallen made the T-Mobile Mane Stage sparkle with hit after hit to ecstatic response from the crowd. He also brought out his new friend Post Malone for a brand new collab between the two called “I Had Some Help,” which saw its live debut during Wallen’s set. Before Wallen took the stage, HARDY and Bailey Zimmerman each separately wowed festival goers, with the former bringing out Renee Blair. Megan Moroney’sStagecoach debut was an absolute slay on the Mane Stage, while country legend Clint Black appeared at Stagecoach for the first time, treating fans to four decades of country classics. The War & Treaty delighted music lovers with not one but TWO incredible sets during the day, and The Beach Boys surprised the audience with guest turns by John Stamos and Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath. Diplo did a next level, back-to-back set with Stagecoach first timer Marshmello, and Brittney Spencer, Nate Smith, WIllie Jones, Pam Tillis and more played the sorts of sets that make Stagecoach a must-attend event year after year. The night ended with the one and only Wiz Khalifa playing his first ever Late Night at Palomino set, punctuated by special guests Benji and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte. It was a perfect end to a weekend full of the best of the best on multiple stages throughout the Empire Polo Fields.
Celebrity chef Guy Fieri once again brought Flavortown to the desert with Stagecoach favorite Guy Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse, which was packed with fans each day of the festival. He was joined for cooking demonstrations by Jelly Roll and Paul Cauthen, Clint Black and Diplo, Rashad Jones and Chris Conger, and HARDY and Bailey Zimmerman.
Photo Credit: Hayden Stills (Stagecoach)
COACHELLA VALLEY COUNTRY 