Line dancing at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival on Sunday, April 28, 2013. (Charlotte Bray/Freelance Photographer)
The 2013 Stagecoach Country Music Festival is a wrap, but here are 15 things we’ll remember about the festival. You can see all of our coverage at the iGuide Stagecoach page and also check out more than 40 photo galleries from Stagecoach 2013.
What memories are you taking back?
1. George Jones’ death at age 81 on the opening day of Stagecoach 2013 led to a record number of tributes to “The Possum” from all of the stages.
2. A feeling that more people were there to see the music. Yes, people complained about the big changes and limitations to RV camping, the banishment of tailgating and the no re-entry policy, but Goldenvoice did the right thing. Stagecoach felt more manageable this year and while people still partied inside the festival, it never felt out-of-control like it did in previous years.
3. Nick 13’s seafoam green suit. Photos of Nick 13.
Jeff Bridges at the 2013 Stagecoach Country Music Festival. (Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)
4. Jeff Bridges believes in “The Dude” as much as the crowd did. He even played a song for him. Photos of Jeff Bridges and the Abiders.
5. Roger McGuinn’s stories behind his career and music coupled with his performance might have been the best set I’ve ever seen at Stagecoach. See photos of Roger McGuinn.
6. Red Solo Cup accessories are the new beer box hat. We saw earrings, necklaces and even a hat. It’s all thanks to Toby Keith’s hit song. See photos of Toby Keith.
7. Lady Antebellum’s attempt to cross over into the Coachella market. “You sound so good Coachella!” Charlie Kelley exclaimed before Hillary Scott reminded him we were at Stagecoach on Saturday night. See photos of Lady Antebellum.
8. The Lone Bellow’s harmonies. See photos of The Lone Bellow.
9. Chris Shiflett’s stage banter and proof that just because you rock doesn’t mean you don’t appreciate country music. See photos of Chris Shiflett and the Dead Peasants.
Dierks Bentley’s afternoon set at Stagecoach 2013. (Charlotte Bray/Freelance Photographer)
10. Dierks Bentley’s twin sets. He debuted the new Toyota 4Runner on Saturday afternoon before playing the penultimate set that night. See photos of Dierks Bentley.
11. The American and confederate flag bikini stand.
12. Awkward covers by artists right after the original artists performed them on the same day. See: Jeff Bridges’ covering the Byrds’ “So You Wanna Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” on Friday and the double helping of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” on Sunday, first by the Charlie Daniels Band and then by the Zac Brown Band.
13. The tie shaped like a saguaro cactus.
14. Stagecouch. AXS TV’s broadcast of sets from the festival marked the first time Stagecoach was filmed and shown on TV.
Katey Sagal and The Forest Rangers perform songs from “Sons of Anarchy” at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Sunday, April 28, 2013. (Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)
15. Celebs at Stagecoach Jeff Bridges, John C. Reilly and Katey Sagal all performed on the stage; Randy Jackson introduced Charley Pride on Sunday and Ashton Kutcher was hanging out.
What are your favorite memories from this year’s fest?