Stagecoach Festival

So here's the thing about Stagecoach-it's basically become the country music event of the year, and honestly? It's kind of earned that title. It is the largest and highest-grossing country music festival in the world. That's not nothing.

What started back in 2007 as Coachella's country-loving little sister has grown into something massive. In 2018, Stagecoach set a new attendance record with 75,000 attendees; this was surpassed the following year with a peak of 80,000. We're talking about a three-day weekend in the California desert where cowboy boots meet craft cocktails, and somehow it all just works.

The festival happens at the Empire Polo Club in Indio-same spot as Coachella, but with a completely different vibe. Where Coachella is all about eclectic lineups and Instagram moments, Stagecoach leans into its country roots hard. Think belt buckles, line dancing, and a BBQ competition that's become almost as popular as the music itself. Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS) sanctioned the Stagecoach Invitational BBQ Championship encompassing teams from across the nation competing for the KCBS California State championship.

But don't let the country label fool you into thinking it's one-dimensional. Sure, you'll get your mainstream country headliners-past years have featured everyone from Garth Brooks to Miranda Lambert to Luke Combs. But the lineup also pulls in bluegrass, Americana, roots rock, and even the occasional pop crossover act. Lana Del Rey performed there, for crying out loud. And Diplo's been known to show up for the Late Night in Palomino sets, which basically turn into desert dance parties that go until the early morning hours.

The camping situation is huge here. Like, really huge. The facilities provide on-site camping for some festival-goers. The Desert Sun published an article on the camping, reporting that some attendees think that it, as a standalone event, is almost on par with the concerts. RVs roll in by the hundreds, and people basically set up mini-communities for the weekend. There's something about waking up in the desert, grabbing breakfast at your campsite, and then wandering over to catch your favorite artist that just hits different.

And notice how the festival has this interesting cultural footprint? Sections of the 2018 film A Star Is Born, starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, were filmed at Stagecoach. It's become more than just a music festival-it's a scene, a destination, a whole thing.

The festival grounds themselves are pretty well thought out. You've got multiple stages, including the main Mane Stage, the Palomino Stage, and newer additions like the Mustang Stage. There are saloons with air conditioning (crucial when you're dealing with desert heat), specialty food vendors, full bars, and even a kids' area called Half-Pint Hootenanny. It's surprisingly family-friendly for a music festival.

One thing that sets Stagecoach apart is its accessibility. Stagecoach is an all-ages event and kids 10 and under are free. You don't see that at every major festival. And the vibe is generally more laid-back than its sister festival-people actually bring low-back chairs and spread out on the grass, which you'd never get away with at Coachella.

The timing is perfect too. It happens the weekend right after Coachella wraps up, usually in late April, when the desert weather is ideal-warm days, cool nights, and that golden California sunshine that makes everything look better. Just maybe bring some sunscreen. And a hat. Actually, definitely bring a hat.