Stagecoach 2025- Mostly Country, with a Heaping Side Helping of Hip-Hop

On the ‘Mane’ stage at 5:30 Saturday night, Shaboozey brought his unique blend of Hip Hop and country, to a packed-out crowd. After his set, he had to work his way through a swarm of adoring fans so that he could enjoy the next Hip-Hop artist that had the Palamino stage bouncing.  At 7:20 Saturday night, Nelly had everyone singing ‘Andele Mami, E.I. E.I. Uh Oh.’ Then, fittingly, Country Grammer had everyone doing their best shimmy shimmy cocoa what?

Photos courtesy of Stagecoach: Shaboozey crowd shots by A Barron. Guitar shot by A Downs.

The steady flow of hip hop wasn’t just for the Mane and Palomino stages. It was consistently found on tap at Diplo’s Honky-Tonk. There might have been as many Hip-Hop line dancing fans as Country. Before Paris Hilton made her Diplo’s debut, the excitement and anticipation was palatable. The surging crowd was more than pleased with the spinning skills of the ‘infinite icon’ (to borrow a phrase from the hundreds of glow sticks that were gifted to the crowd). Then, just when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier for Paris, Lizzo made a surprise appearance, making an already raucous crowd erupt to new levels. Do I dare say… it was hot?

Mumford fans also showed up in force. Arriving 30 minutes before their 6:55 Friday night set, only got me to the outside fringes of the Palomino tent. The strong showing also came through loud and clear during the sing-along portions of their set, bringing multiple huge smiles to Marcus Mumford’s face. He commented on how special it was, looking out on an audience of ‘more cowboy hats then I’ve ever seen in my entire life.’

Lana Del Rey also did not disappoint. She brought a secret garden look of beauty to the Palamino stage for her 8:10 Friday night set.

She had an almost too perfect, ‘Stepford Wife’ aura about her. It was if all the thousands of adoring fans had been invited to the front porch of a friend’s country house to watch her sing with her very talented friends, including a beautifully soothing string section. The crowd especially went crazy as she sang Video Games, while rocking back and forth on her giant vine draped swing. Another audience favorite was her striking red dress which she wore while singing Summertime Sadness. The big question that circled amongst her fans was, “Why isn’t she on the main stage?”

On Saturday at 1:45pm ‘California Cowgirl’ Annie Bosko and her dancers brought a whole lot of heat to the afternoons Mane stage. She was followed by the talented Louie the Singer, adding even more enjoyable diversity. More talent and variety could be found back at the Palomino stage Saturday, where the 60’s icons Tommy James and the Shondells and 90’s fan favorites Creed performed several hours apart.

Annie Bosko photos courtesy of Stagecoach: D Becerra

Also, on Saturday at the Palomino stage Dylan Gossett made a big impact with his refreshing style and sound. Two songs that I’d highly recommend checking out, is his 2024 song ‘If I Had a Lover’ and his 2023 single ‘Coal’.

Dylan Gossett photos courtesy of Stagecoach: M McDonald

Koe Wetzel was next up on the Palomino stage. His drums brought more than enough chest-pounding double bass energy. His style of country definitely delivered way more rockin’ then whinin’. ‘High Road’ was a highlight with special guest Jessie Murph.

Koe Wetzel photos courtesy of Stagecoach: F Nguyen

The thread of variety continued with Sunday’s line up. 2:05 at the Palomino stage saw Angel White performing. It makes sense that someone who loves silken pillows, sings with such a velvety smooth voice. Angel White is what you might get if Babyface was born as a 5^th Generation Texan who loved country music.

Angel White photos courtesy of Stagecoach: T Gallegos

Next up at 2:50 on Sunday’s Palomino’s stage was The Bacon Brothers. Before they came out, I thought I was about to be introduced to a group of guys who loved my favorite breakfast food as much as me. To my surprise, it was Kevin Bacon, his brother Micheal, and the rest of their band (some of whom might’ve been vegan). Some movie stars get a shot at music because of their built-in notoriety. The Bacon Brothers were actually quite talented musically. Their rendition of Footloose was an absolute crowd pleaser.

The Bacon Brothers photos courtesy of Stagecoach: J Bajsel

You can’t talk about musical talent and Stagecoach 2025, without mentioning the amazing Sturgill Simpson. He was affectionately renamed Johnny Blue Eyes by a favorite Kentucky bartender and has been using that stage alias ever since. He’s not only gifted with an amazing voice, but his songwriting puts him on another level compared to so many of the other Stagecoach singers who were performing songs that they had no hand in writing. He and his bands musical talents were on full display as they traded off guitar lead duties and his set seamlessly merged from jam session to structured song, back to jam session, even ending his set working in some Rage Against the Machine rifts. Sturgill Johnny Blue Eyes Simpson kept it genuine and was a definite favorite.

If you ever wanted to experience a time warp, the Palomino stage on Sunday at 7:20 was the place to be. It felt like we were all transported back to the late 80’s and early 90’s with some of Sammy Hagar’s greatest hits. The ageless wonder still had his swagger. He was accompanied by Joe Satriani, who was as good as ever. It was obvious through their whole set, that they were all having a blast, and that fun energy couldn’t help but bleed into the audience.  I guess that’s what happens when you get to keep doing what you love, with your buddies, deep into the back nine of your life… or maybe it was the tequila. He and his bassist were taking turns from the bottle before dragging Guy Fieri out on stage to sing along and have some shots. At one point, he paused to say how much fun he was having. “It’s been a long time since I’ve played for a crowd this big” he shouted all smiles. Then he added, “I was born to do this!” Nobody was arguing, or driving 55 that night.

If you had to incapsulate the absolute randomness, that was the entire 2025 Stagecoach experience into one tasty little sample size. Look no further than the rollercoaster ride that was Jelly Roll’s set. He definitely kept the audience guessing and on their toes. One minute, he was drawing attention to a fan’s poster that read “First Sober Stagecoach” giving them lots of love and encouragement. Then, the next minute, he was taking hits off of Wiz Khalifa’s huge blunt while singing along to Young, Wild and Free and Black and Yellow. The next thing you knew, he was trying to lead everyone in a worship session with Christian singer/artist, Brandon Lake with a huge cross, that was also…ahem, lit up. For some it might’ve been a little dis’joint’ed and confusing, but one thing was certain, Jelly Roll threw everything he could think of at his first Stagecoach headlining set.

Jelly Roll photos courtesy of Stagecoach: Photos 1-2 by Textli Gallegos. Photos 3-6 by C Powell

On a more heartwarming note, if you’ve ever wondered if you, as an audience member, can make a difference to the artist performing, Jelly Roll answered that loud and clear. At one point during his set, he pointed to two men in the front row of the audience who were wearing matching ‘marines’ jerseys, saying ‘you two were in the same place last year.’  No doubt as a fan it must have exciting to be remembered and recognized. But it didn’t stop there. He then thanked them for their service and graciously accepted as a gift the red marine flag that they had decorating the barricade with the lyrics ‘somebody save me.’

The two men that Jelly Roll remembered and drew attention to, were Gunnery Sergeant Daryl Clark of Yucca Valley, Ca and Sergeant Chadd Milton of Loxahatchee Fl. I asked Daryl how he and Chadd met and how many Stagecoach festivals they’ve attended together, and Daryl answered “Chadd and I have been friends since 1995. We were stationed together at Marine Corps Base Quantico Virginia. Chadd gave me the Honor and privilege of being his best man at his wedding and the Godfather to his daughter and son. I’ve tried my best to honor that privilege he gave me some 20 years ago of our 30-year friendship. 3 years ago, I had to ask his wife if she would let me borrow her husband for a 3-day weekend. Chadd has been my plus one at Stagecoach ever since. This was my 10^th Stagecoach, and I would put this year in the top 2. Zach Bryan, Jelly Roll, and Luke Combs all lived up to their part as headliners. I want to give a special shout out to Jelly Roll for recognizing myself and Chadd and for receiving our Marine Corp Flag and honoring us for our service to our country and our community” He finished by saying, “and to end it on Sunday with the one and only Mr. Garth Brooks closing with Luke Combs singing ‘Friends in Low Places’ that was the icing on my lemon cake.” No doubt Daryl speaks for thousands of other Country and Hip-Hop fans when he says, “Stagecoach 2026, Let’s Go!”