Strong winds could sweep through Stagecoach once again. The National Weather Service has extended a wind advisory for the Coachella Valley and surrounding area through most of Sunday.
NWS said sustained winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour were expected, with gusts up to 45 miles per hour. That is close to the wind strength recorded during the festival evacuation, when winds reached over 40 miles per hour.
The advisory is in effect until 5 p.m.
“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects,” the weather service said in its advisory. “Treelimbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Locally reduced visibility in blowing dust.”
The advisory noted the winds could make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.
1:29 am PT
Pitbull closes strange Stagecoach Saturday with party at Mustang Stage, Lil Jon guests
Shad Powers
With a large crowd stretching all the way from the new Mustang Stage back to the Ferris Wheel, Pitbull had the crowd jumping and partying with a set that started around midnight as the wind delay earlier in the night didn’t do anything to slow his roll.
Mr. Worldwide thanked the crowd multiple times for everyone being willing “to stay all night and party” and “thug it out.”
He brought out rapper “Lil Jon” toward the end of his set to sing their song “Damn I Love Miami” as his lone special guest.
12:46 am PT
Lainey Wilson gets Stagecoach back on track with electric performance after wind delay
Shad Powers
Lainey Wilson’s headlining set on Saturday at the Stagecoach country music festival looked doomed after high winds forced an evacuation. After the chaos, Wilson’s performance was the set that the festival needed to put the night back into place.
When the festival resumed and she opened an hour later than planned with “Can’t Sit Still,” it was as if nothing had happened.
It was an electrifying start to a 90‑minute set, followed by “Wildflowers and Wild Horses,” which she performed while strutting across the stage in leather chaps with heavy fringe, a matching top, and a black hat. The stage featured a western theme of cacti statues and black and white video production of horses, color and black and white live shoots and other various imagery.
In a nice touch she allowed Riley Green, who was supposed to play the set before her but had it cancelled by the wind evacuation, to sing one of his songs.
Before heavy winds forced an evacuation, Bush played a memorable set Saturday on the Mustang Stage at Stagecoach. The band, which exploded in popularity during the peak of the mid-1990s alternative rock scene, brought a ton of energy to a crowd of more than 25,000.
Bush was the latest major rock group to play Stagecoach, following the Counting Crows, who played Friday evening on the same stage.
Bush played nine songs during the 50-minute set. The band opened with “Machine Head,” and also played “Everything Zen,” “Swallowed,” “Glycerine” and finished with “Comedown.” Much of the crowd in attendance passionately sang along with many of the hit songs.
At one point, lead singer Gavin Rossdale jumped down from the stage and over a barrier walked into the crowd. He cut through the crowd while singing, hugging several fans as he made his way through the thousands and back to the stage.
The wind whipped around, prompting Rossdale to say to the crowd, “This desert wind is so wild, so beautiful.” Bush concluded at 7:35 and the evacuation order came around 8.
10:43 pm PT
Stagecoach headliner Lainey Wilson takes the stage after evacuation, Riley Green joins
Ema Sasic
Headliner Lainey Wilson hit the Mane Stage at her updated performance time of 10:30 p.m. and began singing as if the festival wasn’t evacuated just a mere three hours ago.
After a brief video introduction to her set, the singer emerged with a guitar to her opener song “Can’t Sit Still.”
She didn’t address the high winds that led to an emergency evacuation right away, but she posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, ahead of her performance: “These crazy winds ain’t gonna stop us. I’ll see you on stage at 10:30pm. Let’s get fired up!!”
Later into her set, Wilson welcomed musician Riley Green onto the stage. Green was supposed to perform on Saturday, but he was not on the revised set times list once the festival resumed.
10:23 pm PT
Lainey Wilson about to start her headlining set after hour delay, see photos of wind evacuation
Shad Powers
Saturday night headliner Lainey Wilson will go on after all, just an hour later, as a wind evacuation caused an hour-long delay. A sign on the screen as the crowd filled in said “Thanks for hanging with us y’all. Welcome back. Let’s do this.”
Wilson will play, but some acts like Riley Green and Journey did not stick around after the evacuation.
Relive the evacuation and the re-entry through photos in our updated gallery below.
9:40 pm PT
Stagecoach updates set times, Journey and Riley Green left off updated schedule
Ema Sasic
The Stagecoach app has provided an update on set times. Artists who will perform include:
Two Friends: 9 to 10 p.m. at Diplo’s Honky Tonk
Y.O.G.A: 10 to 11 p.m. at Diplo’s Honky Tonk
Headliner Lainey Wilson: 10:30 p.m. to midnight on the Mane Stage
Gavin Adcock + Whiskey Jam: 11 to 11:45 p.m. on the Palomino Stage
Rick Dominguez: 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Diplo’s Honky Tonk
Pitbull: 11:59 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the Mustang Stage
The latest that Stagecoach artists perform is midnight normally, but Dominguez and Pitbull’s sets have been extended to 1 a.m.
Journey is no longer listed on the performance schedule. According to a worker with the festival in the ADA Area at the Mustang Stage, the band left. Their absence has not been confirmed.
Riley Green, who was supposed to perform on the Mane Stage at 7:50 p.m., was also left off the updated set times list.
9:39 pm PT
Latest Indio weather forecast after Stagecoach wind event
Tom Coulter
Indio, the city that hosts the Stagecoach festival, had seen wind gusts over 40 mph on Saturday night before the Empire Polo Club grounds were briefly evacuated due to strong winds. Even stronger winds were reported in other parts of the Coachella Valley, according to Paul Steward, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s San Diego office.
Steward said the area still could see some strong gusts from gap-flow winds at the San Gorgonio Pass through the rest of Saturday, though he noted that most parts of the valley, such as Palm Springs and Palm Desert, were reporting lighter winds after 9 p.m.
“The trends should be that these winds should continue to come down,” Steward said.
The trend was also evident to reporters on the scene, who said the winds had died down substantially by the time festival attendees were allowed to re-enter around 9 p.m.
The brief evacuation was issued as the area was under a wind advisory through Sunday morning. A separate alert from the South Coast Air Quality Management District also warned of windblown dust and high particle pollution (known as PM10).
The AQMD alert warned of “unhealthy” or worse air quality Saturday in the northern parts of the valley, as well as dust that’s “unhealthy for sensitive groups” in other parts of the valley, including Indio.
9:12 pm PT
Stagecoach attendees making their way back into festival after evacuation
Sam Morgen
After an hour-long emergency evacuation due to high winds, Stagecoach attendees who hung out in the parking lot and campgrounds have started to return to the festival grounds. Staff did not scan wristbands upon reentrance, which reporters on the scene say is going relatively smoothly.
The lights of the stages remained on as people walked back in.
8:46 pm PT
Stagecoach set to resume after evacuation due to wind
Sam Morgen and Niki Kottmann
Less than an hour after attendees were told to evacuate the Empire Polo Grounds, Stagecoach is set to resume. The festival’s official app said in a message “the show will resume momentarily.”
“We are working to open doors and prep the site for your safety,” the message said. “Stay tuned for updates.”
The wind had noticeably diminished from the time when Goldenvoice postponed the festival. Reporters on the ground described it as a pleasant breeze.
As festivalgoers who never left the parking lot return to the front gates for the festival to reopen, the question stands: what about all the shuttles that already started taking people back to other areas of the valley? Several shuttles were observed headed toward Madison before the news broke that the festival was back on.
8:41 pm PT
Video shows Stagecoach evacuation scene
Tom Coulter
Tens of thousands of festivalgoers were evacuated due to high winds from Stagecoach on Saturday night shortly before artists such as Journey and headliner Lainey Wilson were slated to perform at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.
Traffic was snarled at nearby parking lots after the sudden announcement directing attendees to exit. A video taken by The Desert Sun showed many attendees covering their faces as they left the festival grounds.
The evacuation came amid an alert from the South Coast Air Quality Management District warning of windblown dust and high particle pollution (known as PM10), with the strongest winds predicted overnight Saturday into Sunday.
During that period, the AQMD alert warned or “unhealthy” or worse air quality in the northern parts of the valley, as well as dust that’s “unhealthy for sensitive groups” in other parts of the valley, including Indio.
8:27 pm PT
Stagecoach evacuated due to high winds, ‘postponed until further notice’
Tom Coulter and Shad Powers
Attendees of the Stagecoach country music festival in Indio, California, were evacuated Saturday night due to extreme winds in the area.
A sign on the stage announced the emergency evacuation around 7:45 p.m. Saturday, saying the event was “postponed until further notice” and directing festivalgoers to exit.
The emergency evacuation was issued as Indio, the city that plays host to Stagecoach, remained under a wind advisory until 11 a.m. Sunday, April 26, and the bands, attendees and organizers are feeling it Saturday night.
With west winds around 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected, some artists mentioned having difficulties in the weather earlier in the day, while many attendees were using bandanas and goggles to protect their faces from the blowing sand and grass particles.
7:50 pm PT
Wind causes Stagecoach to be postponed until further notice
Shad Powers
Due to high winds, an emergency evacuation is under way.
A sign on the stage said: “Emergency evacuation. Event postponed until further notice please move quickly and comely to the nearest exit.”
This is a developing story.
7:33 pm PT
Whipping wind a factor at Stagecoach, as artists struggle, Ferris Wheel closed, speakers lowered for safety
Shad Powers
Indio, the city that plays host to Stagecoach, is under a wind advisory until 11 a.m. Sunday morning and the bands, attendees and organizers are feeling it Saturday night.
With west winds around 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected, it’s playing some havoc with the festival. Artists are powering through, though singing in the wind is difficult. “This wind is kicking our (butt) up here guys,” Teddy Swims said during his 5:15 p.m. set.
During the set at the new Mustang Stage by Treaty Oak Revival speakers that were suspended in the air were lowered closer to the ground out of caution.
And festival goers were using bandanas, goggles, and anything they could think of to protect their faces from the blowing sand and grass particles.
7:09 pm PT
Sydney Sweeney opens up Syrn Saloon at Stagecoach
Ema Sasic
It seems like Sydney Sweeney can do anything: Act, own and operate her own business and even run a saloon — at least during Stagecoach weekend.
We spotted the Syrn Saloon (pronounced like siren) on the grounds near Diplo’s Honkytonk. The watering hole is named after her lingerie brand of the same name, and it even features several lace bras hanging from the ceiling at the bar area.
Inside, the western-themed bar has plenty of fun decorations on its walls, including old Shell Motor Oil signs, photos of cowboys and dart boards. The ceiling above the dance floor area is even decorated with money featuring her face on it.
Visitors can sing some karaoke on stage, and they can also order a few specialty drinks from the menu. Though we didn’t spot the Emmy Award nominee inside on Saturday, she’s been known to make appearances — she sang with actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis on Friday.
7:02 pm PT
Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters deliver an old-school rock ‘n’ roll set
Brian Blueskye
About 20 minutes into Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters’ set on the Palomino stage on Saturday, the “Sling Blade” actor and musician said it was obvious they didn’t play country music, and the crowd that filled the tent obviously loved the band’s retro British Invasion, blues-inspired brand of rock ‘n’ roll.
The 45-minute set included songs such as “Jupiter Man,” “She Looks Like Betty Page,” “I Must’ve Been High” and others. Before performing the song “Science Fiction,” he paid homage to the new-wave band Devo, which performed in the same tent both weekends before during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, when it was named the “Mojave.” He also said the band didn’t use any “tracks or gizmos,” and if they messed anything up, the audience was going to hear it in real time.
Thornton has been performing with The Boxmasters since 2007. His singing is decent for a rock band, while guitarists J.D. Andrew, Kirk McKim, bassist Raymond Hardy, and drummer Nick Davidson delivered an excellent performance throughout.
5:58 pm PT April 25, 2026
Teddy Swims brings out David Lee Roth of Van Halen to sing ‘Jump’ … again
Shad Powers
The air will always be dusty, traffic will always be a mess leaving at night and during the day you’ll get to see David Lee Roth perform “Jump” with Teddy Swims.
Those are the three certainties this festival season a the new dynamic duo performed Saturday at Stagecoach, marking the third time they’ve shared the stage at the Empire Polo Grounds in 15 days.
For the third straight weekend, Teddy Swims brought out the former Van Halen frontman — is it possible David Lee Roth lives in the new bunker on the grounds? — to sing “Jump” as the penultimate song of his set.
At Coachella during Weekend 1, Swims brought up dignitaries Joe Jonas and Vanessa Carlton along with David Lee Roth to join him on stage for a song or two. In Weekend 2, only David Lee Roth returned.
While it wasn’t a surprise, it was still a hit as the crowd relished the chance to see the rocker at age 71 sing one of his signature hits.
5:37 pm PT April 25, 2026
Guy Fieri has chaotic fun with Gavin Adcock, Gavin Rossdale, Billy Bob Thornton, Wynonna Judd at Stagecoach
Ema Sasic
Stagecoach mainstay Guy Fieri is back with his Smokehouse cooking demos and he brought a lot of chaotic fun energy on Saturday, April 25.
His star-studded barbecue hangout included artists Gavin Adcock, Gavin Rossdale, Billy Bob Thornton and Wynonna Judd, all of whom are playing the festival. Each artist was assigned a different meal to make, including Rossdale who was making their first-ever Asian dish at the festival.
While they were cooking, Fieri made sure he brought a lot of fun and wackiness. He called Thornton his “brother from another mother” and joked that Judd was likely “kicking someone’s ass” in the backstage area before she came out. When she arrived, she sang an elongated “Flavortown” note, showing everyone she was ready to get the party started.
While Adcock was explaining that he would be making beer-battered onion rings, Fieri asked him if the container of his batter was actually “a pound of Pablo Escobar.” The singer replied, “I wish.”
4:39 pm PT April 25, 2026
A college basketball player turned influencer turned country singer? Meet Adrien Nunez
Shad Powers
Rising country star Adrien Nunez, who played Division 1 college basketball at the University of Michigan before becoming a successful influencer in the music business, has begun his own budding country music career.
And it’s going well. He played early in the day on the Mane Stage at Stagecoach on Friday and The Desert Sun caught up with him Saturday to ask about his career and his goals. Spoiler alert: He wants to headline Stagecoach.
Before we dive into Stagecoach Saturday and Lainey Wilson, let’s look at the epic Friday photos
Shad Powers
From headliner Cody Johnson and Ella Langley to icons like Wynonna Judd and Lyle Lovett, our photographers saw some of country’s biggest names come into focus in front of their cameras Friday.
Check out the action on stage and around the grounds from Friday’s Day 1 of Stagecoach.
1:39 pm PT April 25, 2026
Want to share a drink with Shaboozey? He posts about meeting him at Cherie Lee’s Saloon at Stagecoach
Shad Powers
Country crossover artist and Stagecoach frequenter Shaboozey responded to a post by Stagecoach on his Instagram “Catch Me at Cherie’s if you can?”
Cherie Lee’s Saloon is a bar inside the grounds at Stagecoach in the 12 Peaks area. There was no time or schedule given on when you might run into Shaboozey, but the festival posted — “Step in to Cherie Lee’s (beer emoji). Find it in 12 Peaks this weekend for cold drinks and an immersive Wild West experience. You just might see Shaboozey.”
1:56 am PT April 25, 2026
Dan+Shay say their surprise set was best of their careers. Who are we to disagree?
Paul Albani-Burgio
We didn’t know Dan+Shay would even be at Stagecoach until a few days ago (though we had a hunch, because organizers left a “+” logo on the set times as a clue).
But when we look back, it will just about impossible to think about the festival without thinking about the band’s infectious Palomino set.
Things got off to a banging start as the band performed one of their biggest hits, “10,000 Hours,” after an impressive video intro that led one person by me to declare that it felt like something one would see at Stagecoach. And the hits hardly let up from there as the band next launched into “All to Myself,” “You” and “I Should Probably Go to Bed.”
It’d been nearly a decade since Dan+Shay player at Stagecoach and the band truly seemed to be drinking in the moment. So much so, in fact, that the set continued on about 20 minutes after its scheduled end time with the band at one point even stopping at one point to express their gratitude — and amazement — to fans for coming to and staying at a set that ended up continuing well past headliner Cody Johnson’s (they encouraged everyone to head straight there afterward, saying they would do the same).
But while a few people definirely bailed early, most stayed put to hear the boys close with the fittingly California centric “19 You+Me” and their two timeless hits “Speechless” (yep the one that’s been a first dance at what must be several million weddings) and “Tequila.” Before rhe latter, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey briefly came out on stage to deliver tequila shots to Dan and Shay.
11:53 pm PT April 24, 2026
Cody Johnson brings out Boyz II Men
Niki Kottmann
The surprise guest I didn’t see coming but likely should have (based on some clues on social media I found after the fact) during Friday’s headlining set was Boyz II Men, who joined Day 1 headliner Cody Johnson onstage to perform their new collaborative rendition of the vocal group’s classic “On Bended Knee.”
Counting Crows prove rock is here to stay at Stagecoach
Andrew John
The Counting Crows’ Stagecoach 2026 set proved, again, that rock music works at a country music festival. It’s not a new concept, but it’s one that Stagecoach organizers seem to be leaning into extra this year, especially with the addition of the Mustang Stage.
Playing on said stage as the sun set on the first day of the festival Friday, April 24, the popular ‘90s-era band that was formed in Berkeley, California, drew a crowd of more than 10,000. The crowd was a mix of middle-aged fans, teens and 20-somethings who also knew the words to the hits.
The Counting Crows opened Friday’s set with their new single, “Spaceman in Tulsa,” which was released in February. “Mr. Jones” and “Omaha” were among the hits played, with frontman Adam Duritz eventually sitting down at a piano as the band played extended, emotionally charged versions of “Round Here” and “A Long December.”
While the set wasn’t the best we’ve seen at Empire Polo Club this year, it was a welcome addition to the festival as it re-introduces more rock into the lineup.
10:14 pm PT April 24, 2026
It’s Friday, so obviously Rebecca Black played her viral hit at Stagecoach
Ema Sasic
The Stagecoach gods (aka the people working on the set times) knew what they were doing when they booked Rebecca Black to play a DJ set at the festival Friday.
The YouTuber/singer-turned-DJ found viral fame in 2011 for her hit “Friday.” It was never considered the best song ever, but it was catchy, cute and fun, so obviously it became huge among tweens and teens (guilty!).
Inside Diplo’s HonkyTonk, Black kept the party going Friday with plenty of pulse-pounding songs mixed together and an insane light show to go along with it (and to make up for the lack of special guests). But I, and I’m sure plenty others, were anxiously waiting to see if she would play her hit. She teased us at one point, saying if the crowd got wild, she would play everyone’s favorite weekday song.
Finally, once she got to the end of her set, a sped-up electronic version of the song started, giving everyone another reason to get down on a Friday. For those of us who were around when that song was a hit, it was a magical moment to sing into the weekend with the queen herself.
10:11 pm PT April 24, 2026
Theo Von cameo one of many highlights of epic Ella Langley sunset set
Paul Albani-Burgio
Ella Langley performed what was hands down the best set of the day on Friday. She opened with “Dandelion,” the title track from her just-released album, as well as her new Morgen Wallen collaboration, “I Can’t Love You Anymore.” However, before the first note of the latter even played, Langley apologized, saying Wallen wouldn’t be coming out because he’s on “dad duty” this weekend.
However, the crowd didn’t seem to mind Wallen’s absence, as Langley sounded plenty good on her own. She played most of her growing list of hits, ending with the beloved “Weren’t For The Wind.” Among them was “You Look Like You Love Me,” one of Langley’s songs with Riley Green, who will take the Mane Stage on Saturday.
But it was not Green who came out to sing his part of “You Look Like You Love Me.” Instead, it was comedian and social media star Theo Von, who delivered the night’s biggest surprise and a moment that will surely make the rounds on social media.
Wynonna Judd proves she’s still got the voice and the swagger … just no shoes
Shad Powers
Put simply, Wynonna Judd’s still got it. The 61-year-old country icon is such a consummate performer, she was in complete control of the Palomino stage on Friday afternoon at Stagecoach, and she did it all while barefoot — for some reason.
The barefoot boss, who also played in the second-ever Stagecoach festival with her famous family back in 2008, ripped through a 50-minute set that had multiple signature moments.
She couldn’t help but get emotional during her hit song “Grandpa.” At a certain point she stopped singing to let the crowd sing the chorus, but she was taken aback as the crowd, seemingly in perfect unison, didn’t just finish that lyric, but continued to sing the entire song.
She wanted to jump back in and sing along, but she ended up just letting the crowd do the work as she stood in admiration and thanks for the special moment. “It doesn’t get any better than that,” she said, holding back a tear.
It was a poignant moment to be sure, as the lyrics the crowd was belting out also hit home for the current times: “Grandpa, tell me ’bout the good old days. Sometimes it feels like this world’s gone crazy. Grandpa, take me back to yesterday. When the line between right and wrong didn’t seem so hazy.”
She also showed some vulnerability as she treated the fans to a new song that she was performing in front of people for the first time. It was called “Kentucky Queen,” and when she finished, she admitted she hasn’t been that nervous on stage in a long time.
8:47 pm PT April 24, 2026
Sydney Sweeney spotted at Stagecoach watching BigXthaPlug from the crowd
Shad Powers
Actress Sydney Sweeney is everywhere these days — movies, TV, commercials, you name it. On Friday, Sweeney’s “everywhere” was at Stagecoach, where she was spotted swaying at an afternoon set by BigXthaPlug on the Mustang Stage.
Sweeney, who is back on your TV screen with the return of her hit show “Euphoria,” interacted with and took photos with fans in the front row at the rapper’s 5 p.m. set.
Sweeney, the star of movies like “The Housemaid” and “Anyone But You,” wasn’t the only “Euphoria” star in the desert recently. Two weeks ago, her co-star Jacob Elordi was spotted in the crowdwatching Justin Bieber at Coachella.
8:39 pm PT April 24, 2026
Lyle Lovett hit nostalgia buttons with lively set
Shad Powers
My dad had about six cassette tapes when I was growing up, and we rotated through them on every family road trip. One of them was “Pontiac” by Lyle Lovett, so to see Lovett and hear him play live Friday afternoon at Stagecoach put me right back into our family van back in Michigan.
Lovett and and his large band, all musical pros, moved through a simple 45-minute set in the Palomino and had me in full reminiscence mode. He played a career-spanning set, but just for me, he played two songs from Pontiac — “If I Had a Boat” and “She’s No Lady.”
It’s funny how music can transport you so vividly to a specific time in your life. This was a simpler time, dare I say a better, time than right now, and I want to thank Lovett for letting me live in it for 45 minutes.
Close to 100 festivalgoers stopped and watched a flash mob at around 5:45 on Friday at Stagecoach. The demonstration was for a video for singer Annie Bosko’s upcoming release of of her new track, “Dancing in the Dirt.”
The flash mob was in front of the Ariat booth at Stagecoach, between the Mane Stage and Palomino Stage. Bosko, a Thousand Oaks, California native, is a relative newcomer in country music, with her debut studio album, California Cowgirl, releasing last October.
8:31 pm PT April 24, 2026
Noah Cyrus brings out father Billy Ray Cyrus, brother during Stagecoach 2026
Ema Sasic
It was a family affair during Noah Cyrus’ Stagecoach set as she welcomed not one, but TWO talented relatives (and no, sadly, it wasn’t the main one you’re hoping for).
She first welcomed her brother, Braison Cyrus, to join her on the guitar for “Don’t Put It All On Me.” She was so giddy to have him on the stage with her that she kept shouting out her “big brother” and getting the audience to cheer for him.
Later on, her famous father, Billy Ray Cyrus, and his shiny and well-conditioned locks hit the stage and the crowd inside the Toyota Music Den went crazy. The two of them sang their latest song, “On Our Way Along,” together, with Braison on guitar again.
All we were missing was her Grammy Award winning sibling Miley Cyrus for a true family performance, but seeing these three on the stage was pretty iconic enough.
When she was solo, Noah Cyrus commanded the stage, wearing an ethereal, flowy dress and showing off her impressive vocal chops.
5:37 pm PT April 24, 2026
3oh!3, Ashlee Simpson add to Emo Nite’s throwback vibe
Paul Albani-Burgio
Are the people running Diplo’s HonkyTonk trying to kill me — or at least destroy my hearing forever?
That was the only question that could be pondered after Emo Nite — a group that plays a mix of emo and pop punk songs from the early 2000s and 2010s — got underway with a remixed version of Fall Out Boy’s “Sugar We’re Going Down” that sounded like an airplane taking off right next to me.
I know I’m getting old (although isn’t everyone at Emo Nite?) but this show was seriously loud and not really in a good way. The noise was so overwhelming that it seemed like all the crowd could do was sit there lifelessly for the first half of the show.But either they turned down the volume, we finally got used to it or the sheer excitement of seeing some early 2000s crowd favorites proved irresistible as the crowd finally came alive when pop rap group 3oh!3 took the stage. The band, which is known for its sense of humor, clearly knew the Stagecoach assignment as they took the stage donning Woody from “Toy Story” costumes and ran through snippets of their biggest hits — “My First Kiss,” “Starstrukk,” and, of course, “Don’t Trust Me.” If you went to high school in the early 2010s in 3oh3’s native Colorado like I did, it definitely felt like a ~moment~. But even if you didn’t, I bet it was still awesome.Of course, the billed guest for the set was Ashlee Simpson, who came out and sang “Boyfriend” and “Pieces of Me.” It wasn’t as electric as 3oh!3 (at least for me) but it was pretty fun.
5:19 pm PT April 24, 2026
We visited Post Malone’s Smallest Bar In The West so you don’t have to
Paul Albani-Burgio
Would it be the Stagecoach country music festival without some kind of life-sized marketing gimmick? Of course not. Thankfully, this year has brought us Post Malone and Bud Light’s the Smallest Bar In The West, a life-sized (but still, of course, small) recreation of the bar that Post Malone and some buddies happen upon after their car breaks down in the desert in Bud Light’s latest ad.
The installation can be found at 82-120 John Nobles Road in Indio, and will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. But part of our job here at The Desert Sun is to visit these gimmicks so you don’t have to hear. Watch our video below for the inside scoop (spoiler alert: Post was nowhere to be seen sadly).
4:54 pm PT April 24, 2026
Boot Barn runs out of beverages before some attendees even get inside
Andrew John
This year, to promote their new store in Indio, Boot Barn has a huge brand activation at Stagecoach complete with a full (fake) fruit stand. Within just three hours of the gates opening, however, all the free waters, lemonades, popsicles, etc. were already gone.
The Boot Barn area will remain open throughout the festival, adjacent to the the 7-story rainbow tower, aka “Spectra” art piece, that’s often in the background of Coachella and Stagecoach festivalgoers’ photos.
4:34 pm PT April 24, 2026
What’s new at Stagecoach 2025?
Niki Kottmann
So, we’re 3.5 hours into the first day of Stagecoach 2026. What are our first impressions?
We’re happy to see several new offerings at the festival, including the new (or technically, for veteran festivalgoers, the return of the) Mustang Stage, which will feature the following performers today: BigXThaPlug (5:20 p.m.), Counting Crows (6:45 p.m.), Red Clay Strays (8:30 p.m) and Diplo for the late-night act (11 p.m.). Basically, it’s the go-to spot for the non-country fans (aka those who were dragged here by their more country-leaning friends).
We’re also pumped about the new Paramount+ area (formerly just an activation for the show “Yellowstone), and all the expanded BBQ offerings — especially after several years of a severe lacking of good ole smoked meats.
An alert from the South Coast Air Quality Management District warns of windblown dust and high particle pollution (known as PM10) starting in the late afternoon Friday, April 24. The National Weather Service has also issued a wind advisory for the area effective from 2 p.m. Saturday through 11 a.m. Sunday, warning of gusts up to 55 mph across the valley, including the Empire Polo Club in Indio.
The AQMD alert says air quality could degrade to levels considered “unhealthy” or worse starting at 5 p.m. Friday. The worst air quality was expected in the northern parts of the valley, while other areas — including the festival grounds — could see air quality deemed “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
Winds are expected to pick up Saturday afternoon, with the strongest winds predicted overnight Saturday into Sunday. Anyone who’s attended Stagecoach can attest to the dust being particularly pronounced at the Empire Polo Club, after hundreds of thousands of visitors have walked around the grounds during the prior two weekends for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
3:36 pm PT April 24, 2026
Ella Langley up close? You can ‘Party in the Pit’ much longer at Stagecoach this year than year’s past
Shad Powers
One of the perks for Stagecoach attendees that arrive early in the day is that they’re usually allowed to go all the way up to the front of the Mane Stage, aka the pit, to watch the early-in-the-day performers in for what Stagecoach always calls “Party in the Pit.”
In previous years, you could access that area only until about 4 p.m., catching some of the lesser-known acts from up close. But after 4 p.m., that area is usually reserved for people who paid for a special ticket that allows pit access the whole evening.
This year, however, that time was extended from 4 to 7:30 p.m., meaning anyone can go up to the pit all the way until 7:30 p.m.
In the case of Friday, that means you’re allowed to watch Ella Langley from the up-close pit. On Saturday, the extended time will allow you to see Teddy Swims and Little Big Town from the pit. On Sunday, it’ll be Brett Young and Warren Zeiders.
We’re assuming it will fill up quickly, so we’re not sure how easy it will be to get in there, but it’s a new option for intrepid concertgoers who want to try to see their favorite acts from right in front of the stage.
2:35 pm PT April 24, 2026
When does Noah Cyrus perform?
Niki Kottmann
Noah Cyrus is at Stagecoach this year, and her performance in the Toyota Music Den starts at 6 p.m. (and runs only until 6:30 p.m., so definitely get there early so you don’t miss anything). Word on the street is there might be a special guest or two … stay tuned! We’ll keep you updated.
2:09 pm PT April 24, 2026
Can you watch Stagecoach live?
Niki Kottmann
The answer is sort of complicated. Yes, there is an official Amazon Video livestream for Stagecoach, but the vast majority of the sets are not live and actually start 30+ minutes after the live set time.
See the full livestream schedule here:
2:02 pm PT April 24, 2026
Where is Stagecoach held?
Niki Kottmann
Stagecoach is hosted at the same place as Coachella: The Empire Polo Club, 81-800 Avenue 51 in Indio, Calif.
1:55 pm PT April 24, 2026
Gates are open! Happy Stagecoach
Niki Kottmann
The Stagecoach gates opened shortly after 1 p.m. (as per usual) on Friday, April 24, and a couple artists have now already started and finished their sets. Noah Rinker played the Palomino, Neon Union played the Mane Stage, and DJ REDKĒ is finishing up on the Bud Light Stage.
Check out the full set list here:
9:02 pm PT April 23, 2026
What does country music mean to you? Local hockey star Cooper Marody shares his answer
Shad Powers
The Coachella Valley is not just home to the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals, it’s also home to an AHL hockey team called the Coachella Valley Firebirds, an affiliate of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.
Country music is very popular in the Firebirds’ locker room, and many players are lamenting not being able to attend Stagecoach because the team is playing in a first-round playoff series this weekend.
One of those players is 29-year-old Cooper Marody from Brighton, Michigan. Marody isn’t just a country music fan, he’s a participant. Marody has written and performed his own country music songs, and it’s how he likes to spend his non-hockey time in the summers. What is it about country music that draws him in?
“I think there’s some really genuine storytellng in a lot of the songs,” Marody said, listing Sam Hunt, Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen among his faves. “I think a lot of the artists write their own songs, and it comes from their own personal experience and I really enjoy that. In the past, I’ve found songs I relate to and they kind of give you … they kind of put you into those emotions, good or bad, and that’s something I think is special about country music.”
What time are the Stagecoach headliners performing live? See set times
Brian Blueskye
What time do Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Post Malone perform? Who will be at Guy Fieri’s Smokehouse on Friday? If you’re attending the festival this weekend, here are the set times.
Note: These are NOT the same as the Amazon Music livestream times.
3:58 pm PT April 23, 2026
Where is Stagecoach music festival?
Niki Kottmann
Stagecoach is located at the Empire Polo Club. The address is 81-800 Avenue 51, Indio, California
3:55 pm PT April 23, 2026
Stagecoach parking pass?
Niki Kottmann
Day parking is free at Stagecoach as long as you have a festival admission wristband. These lots tend to fill up between 3 and 4 p.m. each day, so if you don’t get in early, you’ll likely be redirected to an off-site park-and-ride location.
However, if you’d like to pay an extra $299, you can get preferred parking in a lot north of the festival. Here’s more info from stagecoachfestival.com:
Limited availability. While supplies last
Located on the north side of the festival
North venue entrance points
No tailgating
No overnight parking
Vehicles parked must fit with in the 8.5’ x 16’ spot
Pass is valid all 3 days
Lot is open Fri-Sun noon-2 a.m.
No vehicle re-entry
No entry allowed after 10 p.m.
Cars left after 2 a.m. will be towed
3:49 pm PT April 23, 2026
Stagecoach wristband registration?
Niki Kottmann
Everything you need to know about registering your Stagecoach wristband, directly from stagecoachfestival.com:
Wristband registration is required
Download the festival’s mobile app to register
Your unique, six-character alphanumeric code is on the underside of the RFID badge
Register your wristband before applying it onto your wrist
Registration can only be done ONE time, no changes
Registering your wristband secures your investment and helps with a smooth entrance to the festival
Upon registering it will say: “Checkmark, Success! Wristband [yourcode] was registered.” Then, you click on the “continue” button and it brings you back to the home screen. There is also an email confirmation and/or an SMS confirmation
3:40 pm PT April 23, 2026
Stagecoach will call hours?
Niki Kottmann
Picking up your pass today like me? No problem. Bring your ID to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, 78-200 Miles Ave., Indian Wells, during any of the hours below and you’ll be able to pick up your wristband:
4/22/26 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
4/23/26 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
4/24/26 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
4/25/26 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
4/26/26 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
3:29 pm PT April 23, 2026
Stagecoach ticket prices?
Niki Kottmann
It’s not too late to snag an official Stagecoach pass. Here’s what’s left, and how much they cost.The following pass types are still available at stagecoachfestival.com/passes/:
General Admission Tier 1: Sold Out
General Admission Tier 2: Sold Out (but GA + Shuttle Combo Tier 2 is available from $699)
General Admission Tier 3: Sold Out (but GA + Shuttle Tier 3 is available from $719)
General Admission Tier 4: Starting at $619 (but GA + Shuttle Tier 4 is available from $739)
Note: All of these are three-day passes priced at one per person.
Other pass options:
Rhinestone Saloon Pass from $974
Corral Standing Pit from $1,899
Corral Reserved Seating from $1,199 to $2,299
Desert Diamond VIP Package: $4,423.82
Gold Rush VIP Package: $2,653.82
Ho Ho Silver Package: $2,063.82
2:53 pm PT April 23, 2026
Stagecoach livestream questions? Check out the full schedule
Ema Sasic
If you didn’t get a Stagecoach pass, that doesn’t mean you’re excluded from the country music action.
Amazon Music is the official livestream partner for the festival, and the platform will have coverage available on Prime Video, Twitch and the Amazon Music app beginning at 3 p.m. PDT each day.
It should be noted that the stream broadcasts the vast majority of performances around 30 minutes to upwards of two hours after they occur on the festival grounds, so most of the streams are not technically live. Headliners Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Post Malone will hit the Mane Stage at 9:30 p.m. each night, while Johnson and Post Malone’s streams will be available at 10 p.m. (Wilson’s will be broadcast at the show start time).
Other notable artists available on the stream include Ella Langley, Riley Green, Bailey Zimmerman, Brooks & Dunn, Diplo, Pitbull and Ludacris.
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