Luke Bryan performs on the Mane stage during the Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio on Saturday, April 28, 2012. (File Photo)
Three of the hottest stars in country music will headline the 2014 Stagecoach Country Music Festival when Eric Church, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan take the stage April 25-27 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.
The country festival started in 2007 as a sister event to the alternative music-focused Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. As Coachella became the tastemaker for alternative music, Stagecoach has become a barometer for country stars on the rise.
The popular festival featured all three of the headliners when they were just up-and-coming acts playing during the blazing afternoon sun.
“This is the most current lineup we’ve ever had,” said Paul Tollett, head of festival promoter Goldenvoice, referring to the main stage acts.
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One artist is getting the rare back-to-back appearance at consecutive fests: Florida Georgia Line.
The group opened the main stage on Sunday at the 2013 fest in the high temperatures. Even in the heat, they impressed Tollett so much that they were invited back.
“They were great,” he said.
But the contemporary country stars aren’t the only notable names the festival attracts. Stagecoach snagged legend Loretta Lynn, who was originally scheduled to perform a couple of years ago, but had to back out due to a medical issue.
Tollett noted that she is someone that the festival has been trying to have perform for a long time.
As for Stagecoach logistics, fans can expect some on-site changes.
Traditionally, Stagecoach has had two tiers of reserved seating in front of the main stage as well as general admission passes. Tollett said that the tier in front of the stage would remain fairly empty until late in the day, sometimes up until the headlining act.
To combat that, Goldenvoice is putting a standing-room only pit in front of the stage with the reserved seats behind them, in two areas known as the Corral.
“We want a party there all day,” Tollett said.
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The other big change is in the camping policy. In 2013, Goldenvoice instituted new rules in an effort to curb the partying in the campgrounds, requiring RV campers to own the RV they would be taking and filling out an application for the spot.
The announcement brought on a backlash from fans, but Tollett said camping went really well at the festival this year.
For 2014, those wishing to camp will still have to fill out the application, but borrowed and rented RVs are allowed.
Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. at www.stagecoachfestival.com. General admission passes will be $249; the new Corral passes are both priced at $799.