Stagecoach Festival Proves Prime Destination for Country Music

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Written by Laura Smith

Friday, 04 May 2012 23:46

Country music may call Nashville, TN home but from Friday, April 27th to Sunday, April 29th California’s sixth annual country music festival Stagecoach proved country possesses a second residence in the Golden State. With a lineup loaded with top tier talent such as the well accomplished Brad Paisley and the legendary Kenny Rogers to artists like the emerging Sunny Sweeny and future superstar Luke Bryan, Stagecoach Festival 2012 kicked off at Indio, CA’s Empire Polo Club Friday, April 27th with fans touting high expectations.

Judging by the surrounding crowd reactions all weekend long I can safely say Stagecoach met these expectations and in some cases even exceeded them. Everyone seemed to sport smiles and laidback attitudes. This really comes as no surprise given three stages of wholesome country music, wonderful weather, and cold beers caters to a good time.

Admittedly performance wise Stagecoach Festival boasted more noteworthy acts than I could single-handedly cover. Hopefully though you will find my review contains enough highlights to satisfy your curiosity. The acts spread across three stages, the bluegrass focused Mustang Stage, alternative country themed Palomino Stage, and of course the mainstream centered Mane Stage.

Instantly Friday and Saturday’s respective headliners Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert come to mind. Aldean and Lambert main eventing the Mane Stage fits poetically. Both artists’ careers parallel Stagecoach’s growth. When the country music festival first started six years ago Aldean and Lambert remained small fries within the genre, actually serving as opening acts for Stagecoach during the festival’s early years.

Fast forward to 2012 and Stagecoach Festival proves a prime destination for country music while Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert enjoy bona fide country superstardom. Such symmetry did not go unnoticed by the two headliners. During her set Saturday night Miranda Lambert admitted to the large crowd, "I can't believe I'm playing last tonight, this is crazy!" Especially crazy when you consider she went on after her husband Blake Shelton, a man whose first real claim to fame came in 2001 with the hit “Austin” and currently resides at pop culture’s forefront thanks to his role on The Voice.

Earlier on Saturday Sunny Sweeny and Luke Bryan stimulated audiences’ attentions on the Mane Stage. Sunny Sweeny best known for her song “From a Table Away” showed the Stagecoach crowd her blunt side, performing “You Don’t Know Your Husband Like I Do.” Luke Bryan captivated the audience playing his newest hit “Drunk On You.” Upon “Drunk On You’s” opening chords the crowd roared in anticipation and began dancing around. On a personal note, I found the wicked banjo playing during the song to be “Drunk On You’s” most entertaining moment.

Outside the Mane Stage performances, The Mavericks and Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers shined. Stagecoach Festival served as a reunion for The Mavericks, marking the first time since 2003 the band performed together. During their Palomino headlining set Saturday The Mavericks played old and new material. The new material teased the reunited group’s upcoming album scheduled for release sometime in 2012.

Actor Steve Martin’s celebrity status brought a massive audience to the Mustang Stage Saturday for Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers. Anyone who came over to the stage to see Steve Martin embarrass himself trying to be a musician quickly left disappointed. Martin demonstrated tremendous talent playing the banjo, proving he is no goofball celebrity toying with music but rather a credible musician.

Stagecoach Festival wrapped up Sunday with a day just as eventful as Saturday. The Unforgiven reunited and performed on the Palomino Stage. Also on the Palomino Stage Kenny Rogers gave a performance validating his legendary status. Sheryl Crow best known for her pop music went country on the Mane Stage, furthering her journey into the genre. The always entertaining Brad Paisley capped everything off on the Mane Stage with a set incorporating his many, many hits.

Stuck with Brad Paisley tunes in their heads everyone departed with at least a satisfactory grin. Reflecting back on the entire weekend stirs up excitement about the possibilities for next year’s festival. Stagecoach personnel definitely possess great momentum to build off of.

Instantly Friday and Saturday’s respective headliners Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert come to mind. Aldean and Lambert main eventing the Main Stage fits poetically. Both artists’ careers parallel Stagecoach’s growth. When the country music festival first started six years ago Aldean and Lambert remained small fries within the genre, actually serving as opening acts for Stagecoach during the festival’s early years.

Earlier on Saturday Sunny Sweeny and Luke Bryan stimulated audiences’ attentions on the Main Stage. Sunny Sweeny best known for her song “From a Table Away” showed the Stagecoach crowd her blunt side, performing “You Don’t Know Your Husband Like I Do.” Luke Bryan captivated the audience playing his newest hit “Drunk On You.” Upon “Drunk On You’s” opening chords the crowd roared in anticipation and began dancing around. On a personal note, I found the wicked banjo playing during the song to be “Drunk On You’s” most entertaining moment.

Outside the Main Stage performances, The Mavericks and Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers shined. Stagecoach Festival served as a reunion for The Mavericks, marking the first time since 2003 the band performed together. During their Palomino headlining set Saturday The Mavericks played old and new material. The new material teased the reunited group’s upcoming album scheduled for release sometime in 2012. Actor Steve Martin’s celebrity status brought a massive audience to the Mustang Stage Saturday for Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers. Anyone who came over to the stage to see Steve Martin embarrass himself trying to be a musician quickly left disappointed. Martin demonstrated tremendous talent playing the banjo, proving he is no goofball celebrity toying with music but rather a credible musician.

Stagecoach Festival wrapped up Sunday with a day just as eventful as Saturday. The Unforgiven reunited and performed on the Palomino Stage. Also on the Palomino Stage Kenny Rogers gave a performance validating his legendary status. Sheryl Crow best known for her pop music went country on the Main Stage, furthering her journey into the genre. The always entertaining Brad Paisley capped everything off on the Main Stage with a set incorporating his many, many hits.