On the weekend of April 26-28, the seventh annual Stagecoach: California’s Country Music Festival will take place in Indio, CA. Musical acts include Joe Nichols, Trace Adkins, Dwight Yoakam, Rodney Atkins, Lonestar, Riders in the Sky, Phil Vassar, Roger McGuinn, Waddie Mitchell, Don Williams, Commander Cody, Justin Townes Earle, and Marty Stuart.
Stagecoach began in 2007 and is produced by Goldenvoice and The Messina Group. Goldenvoice is also responsible for producing the popular Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which runs the preceeding two weekends before Stagecoach, April 12-14 and 19-21. Besides sharing the same producers, Stagecoach and Coachella both use the same venue — the Empire Polo Club Grounds in Indio.
This three day festival offers a diverse array of country music talent. Nashville legends, mainstream country groups, as well as up and coming artists are all featured in this year’s lineup. Stagecoach’s headliners include Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, and the Zac Brown Band.
The first day of the festival begins with Keith. He last played at Stagecoach in 2010. Joining Keith will be Louisiana natives Hank Williams Jr. and Trace Adkins. The actor and singer Jeff Bridges will perform with his band the Abiders. Highlights also include Connie Smith and Byrds frontman Roger McGuinn. Smith is a Country Music Hall of Fame vocalist. Day 1 of Stagecoach also features Old Crow Medicine Show, Commander Cody, Hayes Carll, and Joe Nichols.
Lady Antebellum, who performed at the festival in 2009, will close for Day 2. Dierks Bentley, who hasn’t performed at Stagecoach since 2008, has a coveted spot in the lineup. Other Stagecoach veterans scheduled to appear include John Anderson, Marty Stuart, Dwight Yoakam, and Suzy Bogguss. Justin Townes Earle, Nick 13, Rodney Atkins, and Phil Vassar round out the second day.
Zac Brown Band, last seen in 2009, returns to Stagecoach to close out the festival. Darius Rucker will make his third appearance. He played in 2009 and 2011, respectively. Music legends Jerry Lee Lewis, Charley Pride, Don Williams, and Tanya Tucker are also scheduled to perform. The final day roster also features Thompson Square and Lonestar. More acts will be announced closer to the event.
On October 20 at 10 a.m., Stagecoach 2013 tickets go on sale. Options include a three day general admission weekend pass, and VIP pass options for access to reserved sections in front of the Main Stage. The festival is free for children age 10 and under.
Instead of tent and car camping space, Stagecoach 2013 is offering the RV Resort. Spots, which can hold up to six people, are available for a fee. To reserve a space, an application is due by October 15.
Goldenvoice is in discussions to keep Indio as the long term location through 2030 for both the Stagecoach and Coachella Festivals. However, a decision on this matter is not expected until 2013.
For more information on this event including, the RV Resort and a complete lineup, visit Stagecoach’s official website.
