Stagecoach live updates: Set times, a Lana Del Rey appearance and Beyonce rumors

The 2024 edition of Stagecoach is rolling into Indio enshrouded in a cloud of speculation over who might make a very special guest appearance at the Empire Polo Club over the weekend. Headliners Eric Church, Miranda Lambert and Morgan Wallen, bolstered by an undercard of Jelly Roll, Willie Nelson and Post Malone, delivered an early sellout for the festival, but it's the speculation that Beyoncé will make an appearance hot on the heels of her "Cowboy Carter" album that has some predicting a very, very special year.

Check back here for the sights, sounds, special guests and magic moments of Stagecoach throughout the weekend.

• Plan your festival experience: Set times for headliners Eric Church, Miranda Lambert and Morgan Wallen and others
• Weekend weather: Early wind and dust expected ahead of mild temperatures by Sunday
• Where to get some grub: Guide to Stagecoach food offerings, including Guy Fieri's Smokehouse guest schedule
• Special guest predictions: From Beyoncé to Thomas Rhett to ... Bruce Springsteen

Stagecoach Sunday weather forecast for Indio

So far it's been a mild but windy festival. Things are going to heat up on Sunday at the Empire Polo Club in Indio for the final day of Stagecoach, and the wind is still going to be a factor. From the National Weather Service:

Sunday: Sunny with a high near 90 degrees. Winds will be 5 to 10 mph with some gust as high as 20 mph.

Sunday night: Clear with a low around 64. Winds of 5 to 15 mph could gust as high as 30 mph.

Miranda Lambert brings out Reba McEntire for her Stagecoach 2024 headlining set

Miranda Lambert played a nice long set for fans Saturday night — it was the hit-filled kind of performance I think a lot of them expected, and most definitely did not get, from Friday headliner Eric Church.

It seemed like Lambert wasn't going to bring anyone out after she'd been singing for about an hour and 15 minutes, but to everyone's surprise, at one point she told the crowd "I thought I'd bring out a redhead from Oklahoma" and introduced Reba McEntire to the stage.

The pair sang Lambert's "Mama’s Broken Heart," then McEntire's "Fancy" before closing with Lambert's "Gunpowder & Lead."

— Niki Kottmann

Brandi Cyrus gets the crowd going, plays her sister Miley Cyrus' song 'Hoedown Throwdown'

Brandi Cyrus had an exciting DJ set on Saturday, bringing out the singer Dasha to perform her popular song “Austin” and Miley Cyrus’ “Hoedown Throwdown.”

Cyrus actually played a number of her sister Miley’s songs, starting with “Party in the U.S.A.” She also played her father Billy Ray Cyrus’ feature on “Old Town Road” to the thrill of the crowd. Other songs included “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood, “Murder on the Dancefloor” by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by Eurythmics, and “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes.

It was an eclectic and fun mix. The audience had grown small after The Chainsmokers played right before Cyrus, but it grew again as her set continued. Bringing out Dasha was a nice surprise, especially for anyone who missed it when she came out with Dillon Francis and Ship Wrek the day before.

Also the day before in the HonkyTonk, DJ trio Cheat Codes brought out rapper Yung Gravy and singer/social media star Dixie D'Amelio as special guests.

— Ani Gasparyan

Leon Bridges brings out Carin Leon for impressive Stagecoach set

Nothing could compete with the absolute VIBE that was Leon Bridges singing his hits in the Palomino tent at Stagecoach Saturday, but the singer had one other major treat in store after singing "River" and "Beyond."

That was when Leon met León as the singer invited Regional Mexican musician Carín León — the Latin Grammy-winning artist who received the key to the City of Coachella last weekend — on stage to perform their popular duet “It Was Always You (“Siempre Fueste Tu”).

Read the full review here.

— Paul Albani-Burgio

Post Malone brings out Brad Paisley and Sara Evans for his Stagecoach debut

Rapper/singer Post Malone isn't known as a country artist, but ever since he joined forces with Beyoncé for the song "Levii's Jeans" on her latest album, "Cowboy Carter," he's started to lean into another genre he loves.

That love for country was evident Saturday, especially when he brought out a slew of country's finest as special guests during his debut Stagecoach set. First, Dwight Yoakam joined him for "Little Ways," then Brad Paisely came out for his own song, "I'm Gonna Miss Her," and Vince Gill's "One More Last Chance." And finally, Sara Evans joined him for "Suds in the Bucket."

Read our full review here.

— Niki Kottmann

Willie Nelson brings out Jelly Roll, Ernest and Charley Crockett

Few people can still pull in big crowds quite like Willie Nelson, the legendary country artist who's been performing for more than six decades. Just two days before his 91st birthday, he decided to celebrate by making it a family affair at the Stagecoach country music festival.

Nelson and his family band, along with Waylon Payne, played a number of easy-listening and upbeat tunes for the Saturday crowd eager to see the nonagenarian. The legendary artist kicked off a streak of highly anticipated acts at the festival, later followed by Leon Bridges, Post Malone and headliner Miranda Lambert.

Kicking things off with songs such as "Whiskey River" and "Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)," Nelson got into the groove as if no time had passed since he penned those songs back in 1973 and 1978, respectively.

Read the full review here.

— Ema Sasic

Ernest brings out Jelly Roll for redemptive set after mic issues during Jelly's Stagecoach set the night prior

Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, made his fourth major appearance so far at the festival when he popped onstage during good friend Ernest's set on the Mane Stage to perform their duet “I Went to College, I Went to Jail.”

As the name suggests, the darkly humorous tune traces the differing paths Ernest and Jelly Roll took to their current status as Nashville stars (Jelly Roll, if you didn’t know, was the one who went to jail).

And there was definitely something joyful and triumphant about the two singing it from one of the most high-profile stages in country music. The vibes were equally as good when Ernest came out during Jelly Roll's Mane Stage set the day prior to sing "Son of a Sinner" — but better, because Ernest didn't have any microphone issues this time.

Read the full story here.

— Paul Albani-Burgio

Stagecoach dreams come true for Annie Bosko and Kylie Morgan

Annie Bosko

Annie Bosko made the most of her dream of performing at the Stagecoach country music festival on Saturday, giving the audience a delightful and energetic show.

She performed her own songs, like “Boots On,” “Neon Baby” and one she has coming out this year with Dwight Yoakam called “Heart Burn.” She also did covers like Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” during which she informed the crowd that she recently got second degree burns but had to perform at the festival anyway. Her love for Stagecoach and country music was apparent throughout the set, such as when she said “I’m from California, so this is a big deal.”

While she was on a small stage in the Toyota Music Den, she enamored the audience with her singing, dancing and jokes. She even jumped onto the dance floor for her last song, “Honky Tonk Highway.” It was the most fun performance at the festival I’ve seen so far.

Kylie Morgan

Kylie Morgan posted to her Instagram story on Saturday morning that she hadn’t been able to sleep after a packed show in Las Vegas, writing “I’ve (laid) here all night feeling like I did as a kid before the first day of school. Excited, nervous, & just so ready to go see what this new adventure brings.”

Dressed in sequins for her Mane Stage performance, she gave the audience an exciting show with fan favorites like “Bridesmaids,” “If He Wanted To He Would” and her newest release “Two Night Stands.” She’s clearly on the rise in the country music scene — “If He Wanted To He Would” has over 92 million streams on Spotify and Kelly Clarkson even performed it for her “Kellyoke.”

— Ani Gasparyan

Tanner Adell shines sans Beyonce during her Stagecoach debut

Tanner Adell was the first to take the Mane Stage on Saturday, her set slightly delayed as once again the gates opened late. Some fans may have held onto the slight hope she’d bring out Beyoncé for the "Cowboy Carter" hit she's featured on, “Blackbiird,” but the iconic singer did not show (it’s still too early in the day to lose hope though).

Adell still set the tone for a fun day at the festival on her own, though. She performed songs off her debut album, “Buckle Bunny,” such as “FU-150,” “I Hate Texas,” and “See You in Church.” She also performed her single “Love You a Little Bit” and newest release “Whiskey Blues.” For her last song, “Buckle Bunny,” she brought out The Harbin Sisters to dance. The group had created a dance to the song that you can learn the steps to on TikTok.

— Ani Gasparyan

Nickelback plays one of the most-attended Palomino sets in Stagecoach history

If I had a nickel for every late-night country music fan that was crammed in and around the Palomino tent to see Nickelback play at Stagecoach Friday night, I'd have ... let's see probably seemed like about 25,000 people so there's 20 nickels in a dollar, so that means ... anyway, it was a big crowd.

Perhaps buoyed by the mass exodus from Eric Church's unusual headlining set , Nickelback's late-night performance (a new tradition at Stagecoach where a non-country artist finishes the night, which will include Diplo on Saturday and Wiz Khalifa on Sunday this year) was the most crowded version since the idea's conception.

And Chad Kroeger and company didn't disappoint. They promised some sing-a-longs to their hits and some special guests and delivered on both.

Country music ball of energy Hardy joined them to sing his song "Sold Out" and the Jelly Roll, who had performed a well-received set on the Mane Stage earlier, joined the band to sing their hit "Rockstar."

Nickelback hit their biggies as well, including "Someday" and "Photograph," but the moment the crowd got into the most was with their hit "How You Remind Me." From silence, Kroeger belted out the opening refrain "Never made it as a wise man" and the crowd jumped right in with the rest singing the entire song including the chorus that ends "These five words in my head, scream 'Are We Havin' Fun Yet?'"

The answer was yes. Yes we were having fun.

— Shad Powers

Eric Church pulls the biggest surprise of the day by quite literally taking the Stagecoach crowd to church

Eric Church has a reputation for being one of country music's true rebels, with songs such as his quaking blue collar anthem "How 'Bout You" that asks "I like my country rocking, how 'bout you?" But that's not the same guy who showed up to Stagecoach as a headliner on Friday.

After a lengthy church organ song played as the intro, Church appeared seated on a stool in front of a stunning set of red stained glass windows on the production screen and began playing Leonard Cohen's "Halleluiah" before he was joined by backing vocalists for "Mistress Named Music," then a choir for "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "This Little Light Of Mine," "When The Saints Go Marching In," "I'll Fly Away," "I Saw The Light" and more.

The unplugged jam session sent festivalgoers for the exit of the Empire Polo Club starting about 15 minutes in, a sight that could be best described as Moses parting the red sea. It was a surprising move by Church considering his recent setlists appear to be in line with the type of show many were probably expecting him to perform during his third appearance at Stagecoach.

Read the full review here.

— Brian Blueskye

Jelly Roll brings out Maddie & Tae, ERNEST, T-Pain and, in a heartwarming move, his wife and daughter for his Stagecoach debut

Jelly Roll told fans at the beginning of his Friday night Stagecoach set that he'd be bringing out "lots of special guests," and boy, did the man deliver.

First, Jelly brought out good friend and fellow Stagecoach performer Ernest to sing "Son of a Sinner," but sadly, we could barely hear him as Ernest's mic didn't work for the majority of the song. Then, he brought out country duo Maddie & Tae to sing the unreleased song "Liar," adding that if everyone liked it "it might end up on the next album."

Finally, he brought out T-Pain, which we already knew was going to happen but didn't make it any less epic. Jelly let T-Pain play a medley of hits such as "Buy U a Drank" before delving into their cover of the late Toby Keith's "Should've Been A Cowboy."

Before the end of the set, Jelly brought out his wife, Bunnie XO, and daughter, Bailee Ann, and asked the crowd to sing "Happy Birthday" to soon-to-be 16-year-old daughter.

— Niki Kottmann

Carin Leon brings out Mexican singer Ana Barbara

Carín León, the Latin Grammy-winning artist who received the key to the City of Coachella last weekend, brought out a beloved special guest during his debut Stagecoach set Friday.

Mexican singer Ana Bárbara came out with the Regional Mexican singer to great applause.

— Niki Kottmann

Last-minute addition to the Stagecoach lineup Dasha caues huge line to get into the HonkyTonk

Horrifying sights to see at a music festival include, but are not limited to, mysterious substances on the floor, exorbitant prices for basic food, a wet toilet seat in a porta potty, and long and cramped lines for something you really want to see.

I was treated to the latter when I tried to enter Diplo’s Honkytonk to see Dillon Francis and Ship Wrek’s special guest Dasha. But after nearly an hour of waiting, people in line around me could only sing along to her popular song “Austin'' from outside.

It was an extremely dysfunctional process. People were in a line stretching past the Golden Road Brewing stand at one point. But as we neared the tent, it became a cramped crowd and I only heard staff briefly shout that the entrance was to the side of where people had headed. It didn’t get better from there — everyone remained cramped together, at times pushing to either get out or reach friends, until there was finally room to breathe once we reached the metal dividers meant to actually keep things organized.

It would definitely have been smarter to head over there super early, and I'd recommend people keep that in mind for "The Chainsmokers" and other popular sets in the HonkyTonk on Saturday. By the time I got inside, the only victory to be had was getting to feel the air conditioning.

— Ani Gasparyan

Lana Del Rey surprises crowd during Paul Cauthen's Stagecoach set

Lana Del Rey, aka the woman who graced these very Empire Polo Club fields the past two Fridays as a Coachella headliner, was back this Friday at Stagecoach as a surprise guest.

According to several social media posts, Tyler, Texas native Paul Cauthen kicked off his weekend last night by singing with Del Rey at a Nikki Lane BBQ event, and then he invited her onstage during his late afternoon Friday set in the Palomino tent.

Cauthen was first known as a member of Americana/indie folk rock duo Sons of Fathers before going solo.

— Niki Kottmann

Lauren Watkins makes Stagecoach debut, sings unreleased song

Lauren Watkins performed twice during her debut at Stagecoach Friday, once at the Mane Stage and then again at the Bud Light Backyard. Her second set drew a large crowd, causing Watkins to jokingly ask if it's because there’s air conditioning. The enclosed stage was certainly a welcome respite from the heat and blowing dust outdoors, but the audience was also clearly enjoying Watkins’ music.

She sang songs like “Fine County Line,” “Stuck In My Ways,” “Anybody But You” and a new song being released in May called “Mama, I Made It.” Watkins spoke with the audience periodically, doing a cheers with a Bud Light and ending her set with a sentiment many Stagecoach fans would agree with, “God bless country music.”

— Ani Gasparyan

Where's all the barbecue at Stagecoach?

A huge part of attending the Stagecoach country music festival over the years has been the comically vast array of barbecue options. Finding the best barbecue was almost as important as hearing your favorite band. A barbecue-stain on your shirt was almost a certainty by the end of the night.

In the early days of the event there were actual barbecue competitions during the weekend, and in recent years that has given way to big tents left over from Coachella with 12 to 15 different barbecue booths selling their wares.

This year? Nothing. It's weird and noticeable.

Guy Fieri has his cooking demonstrations, and you can find a stray barbecue item at the random food areas like some brisket in your mac and cheese, but there is no dedicated area overflowing with barbecue options this year. Bummer.

At least Indio-based sandwich spot TKB Bakery is back with a different menu from their Coachella offerings, leaning more into the barbecue world with their sandwich choices. Good job, TKB!

— Shad Powers

More: Stagecoach 2024 first look: Festival opens with new area for the Compton Cowboys, Guy Fieri

Meg McRee opens Stagecoach's Toyota Music Den with energetic set

Meg McRee gave a fun performance Friday afternoon at the Toyota Music Den, which doesn’t have the set-up of a usual festival stage. The stage is small, with a dance floor in front and cocktail tables surrounding it. People are lined up for a turn at activities set up by various Toyota vehicles.

McRee sang songs like “Is It Just Me?,” “Gone as It Gets,” “Mary Jane & Chardonnay” and a song she wrote with Lainey Wilson called “Tried & True.” She also performed a new song releasing on May 31st called “Usually You.”

— Ani Gasparyan

Stagecoach artist Zach Top proves that old-school country is timeless

He's only 26, but the music of Zach Top feels like it was plucked right from the early 1990s, before he was even born. Top was one of the first acts to play at the Stagecoach country music festival on Friday and had a large early arriving crowd swaying at the Palomino tent.

His sound is definitely more Garth Brooks and Randy Travis than Luke Bryan and Luke Combs, particularly his opening song "Sounds Like the Radio," which immediately transported fans to the time of collared shirts and cowboy hats as opposed to T-shirts and backwards caps. His songs are right out of the country playbook, as he said, playing "a love song" and "a cheatin' song" back to back for fans in any phase of a relationship.

It was a fun set. He is now officially No. 2 two on my "Performers named Top" ratings behind ZZ and ahead of Carrot.

— Shad Powers

Lola Kirke debuts new song during early afternoon Stagecoach set

After a 20-minute delay likely due to the gates being opened late, singer-songwriter Lola Kirke was the first to take the stage at Stagecoach on Friday. She played songs like “He Says Y’all,” “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” and a new one she said would be released soon called “Thank God For Cigarettes, It's the Least He Could Do.”

It was a small crowd that slowly filled out as people walked in to the festival grounds. Kirke gave a charming performance, and was dressed in a fun all-red outfit that, of course, included a cowboy hat. Fans not familiar with her country music may recognize her for her acting, which has included roles in “Mozart in the Jungle” and “Gone Girl."

— Ani Gasparyan

Stagecoach staff open gates 25 minutes late, push start time of Lola Kirke's set

Lola Kirke, the British singer-songwriter and actress best known for her role in the TV show "Mozart in the Jungle," was originally scheduled to kick off the whole festival at 12:20 p.m. Friday, but by 12:19 p.m. when the crowd was still standing in a large line waiting to be let into the fest, it became clear she'd either be playing to an empty venue or the festival would start later.

Organizers opted for the latter, and moved Kirke's set to 12:40 p.m. Zach Top performed right after her in the Palomino tent, and only started 10 minutes later than his original set time.

— Niki Kottmann

The surprises keep coming: T-Pain will join Jelly Roll at Stagecoach tonight

T-Pain, whose set at Coachella two weeks ago was so popular, they reached capacity at the Heineken House, will jump onstage with country crossover artist Jelly Roll tonight, according to a press release from Amazon Music.

Jelly Roll and T-Pain recently joined forces for an Amazon Music-released cover of Toby Keith's 1993 classic "Should've Been A Cowboy," which they'll perform during Jelly Roll's 8:10 p.m. set on the Mane Stage today.

Jelly Roll is donating all proceeds from the Amazon Music Original to the Toby Keith Foundation, which supports the health and happiness of pediatric cancer patients.

— Niki Kottmann

Air quality alert in effect for Indio area

Heads up to festivalgoers: There's an air quality alert in effect for the Indio area through Friday night. What does that mean? Be sure to bring a kerchief, bandana or face mask.

Chainsmokers, Marshmello, Dasha added to Diplo's Honkytonk lineup at Stagecoach

Surprise: Stagecoach announced on Thursday a few sets for country music fans hoping to hear some DJs — and an emerging country artist who recently blew up on TikTok. Diplo's HonkyTonk, a tent dedicated to electronic dance and pop music, will now see special appearances by singer Dasha, electronic duo The Chainsmokers and DJ Marshmello .

‒ Ema Sasic

Palm Springs area road closures: East Vista Chino

High winds and blowing dust have prompted Palm Springs Police to close East Vista Chino through the wash from Clubhouse View to the city limits due to poor visibility from blowing sand on Thursday night.

Will Stagecoach be livestreamed?

If you want to experience Stagecoach from the comfort of your own home, you can stream this year's festival on Amazon Prime Video or on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch . Each livestream is set to begin at 4 p.m. Pacific on April 26, 27, and 28.

What is the address for Stagecoach country music festival?

Stagecoach country music festival is held at the Empire Polo Club, 81-800 Avenue 51, Indio, CA 92201. Here are a few things Goldenvoice wants you to keep in mind regarding parking:

• Day parking is free for all attendees.
• Free day parking is first come/first serve. Once lots are full, you will be directed to a nearby, off-site, free park and ride location.
• Parking lots are open from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.
• All vehicle occupants must be wearing a festival wristband when entering parking lots.
• No overnight or RV parking allowed in Day Parking, Preferred Parking or ADA parking.
• No tailgating.
• Cars left after 2 a.m. will be towed.

Getting to the festival Indio announced an additional road closure for Stagecoach. Here's which routes to avoid

What can I bring into the Stagecoach festival grounds?

Here's a list of items that are approved by Goldenvoice on the festival grounds:

• Bags or backpacks 20 inches by 20 inches or smaller
• Binoculars
• Beach towels 60 inches by 30 inches or smaller
• Cellphones
• Chapstick or lip balm
• Digital cameras (non-professional)
• Disposable cameras
• Ear plugs
• Eye drops and contact lens solution
• Fanny packs
• Film cameras and Polaroids
• GoPros (no poles or extenders)

• Gum and mints
• Hand sanitizer
• Hats
• Hydration packs (plastic only, empty 2 liters of less)
• Low-back lawn chairs
• Make up
• Parasols
• Plastic water misters (personal size only and empty)
• Portable phone chargers
• Reusable water bottles (empty, 64 ounces or less, no metal, glass, aluminum, steel)
• Strollers (for infants and toddlers only)
• Sunscreen (non-aerosol only)

Stagecoach 2024 essentials: Everything you need to pack as well as what to leave at home

What is prohibited at the Stagecoach festival grounds in Indio

Here's a list of what's prohibited by Goldenvoice at the Stagecoach festival grounds:

• Aerosol products (including sunscreen)
• Air horns
• Animals or pets (service animals only)
• Audio recording devices
• Balloons / balls / inflatable balls / frisbees
• Bicycles
• Caution tape / rope / lassos
• Chains / chain wallets
• Coolers
• No divisive symbols, including, without limitation, Confederate flags and racially disparaging or other inappropriate imagery/public displays.
• Drones, remote control vehicles or toys
• Illegal drugs & drug paraphernalia
• Fighting / taunting / threatening remarks or gestures
• Flammables (fireworks, explosives, road flares, etc.)
• Flags / kites / sky lanterns
• Flashlights
• Glass containers (including reusable water bottles)
• Hula Hoops
• Laser pointers
• LED products / glow sticks
• Massagers
• Metal containers (including reusable water bottles)

• Musical instruments
• Outside food / beverage
• Over intoxication
• Personal vehicles - bicycles, scooters, electric scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, segways, golf carts, self-balanced wheels, horses, etc. Personal mobility devices for ADA guests only
• Professional cameras (defined as having a detachable lens)
• Promotional items / unauthorized solicitations / vendors (including flyers, samples, giveaways)
• Selfie sticks / tripods / narcissists
• Sharpies / markers / spray paint
• Sitting / standing / loitering in designated fire lanes and pedestrian pathways
• Sleeping bags
• Sling shots
• Stuffed animals
• Tents / tarps
• Totems
• Toy guns / water guns
• Umbrellas
• Vape AVPs / nods / liquid refills
• Video cameras
• Wagons / wheeled carts
• Walkie Talkies
• Weapons (guns, ammo, pocket knives, tasers, pepper spray, etc., including off-duty law enforcement or concealed carry permits)
• Any items deemed inappropriate by festival security

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Stagecoach live updates: Set times, a Lana Del Rey appearance and Beyonce rumors