Jason Aldean performs at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Saturday, April 26, 2014. (Charlotte Bray/Freelance Photographer)
With the coolest temperatures in Stagecoach Country Music Festival history, Saturday, April 26, was a party led by one man–headliner Jason Aldean.
The clouds of Friday moved on, but save for the occasional wind gust, Stagecoach, which is typically sweltering around triple digits, had perfect mid-70s temperatures during the day and plenty of sunshine.
But as people bundled up in the cool night, the party got started with Jason Aldean as he came out to a rain of pyrotechnic sparks and opened with “Crazy Town.”
Aldean commented on how he played the very first Stagecoach (like Friday night headliner Eric Church), but he is the only repeat headliner on the bill this year. Aldean also closed the first night of Stagecoach back in 2012. He mentioned how friend Church had his time with the crowd and super close friend Luke Bryan would headline on Sunday.
“Tonight it’s my turn to have a little fun so drink up,” Aldean said.
He also commented on the partying of Stagecoach and encouraged it.
“Have as much fun as you want to,” he said. “This only happens once a year.”
Fans in the crowd sang along as he played hits from his catalog, including “Big Green Tractor” and “Take a Little Ride” as well as a cover of Kid Rock’s “Cowboy” in his encore.
From “Crazy Town” on, the crowd danced and seemed to yell along with every Aldean lyric. With such a huge crowd response, it’s likely we’ll see Aldean back again headlining Stagecoach soon.
See photos of Jason Aldean at Stagecoach 2014.
Trampled By Turtles: The best musicianship of all of Stagecoach 2014 may have been at the Mustang Stage on Saturday evening. Minnesota alternative bluegrass group Trampled By Turtles crafted a set with both high energy and truly soulful points with some of the slower songs.
Singer and guitarist Dave Simonett, mandolin player Erik Berry, banjo player Dave Carroll, bassist Tim Saxhaug and fiddle player Ryan Young are all incredible players on their own, but the sum of the parts and their vocals, really make something special.
At the set’s peak, a square-dancing mosh pit broke out in the back of the tent. Highlights included a cover of the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?” and Trampled By Turtles breakthrough set closer “Wait So Long.”
The last time Trampled By Turtles played Stagecoach, they landed a slot at Coachella the next year. I hope that pattern happens again.
See photos of Trampled By Turtles at Stagecoach 2014.
Jennifer Nettles: The Sugarland singer gone solo took over the Mane Stage at sunset. Fans were into her cover of Imagine Dragons’ “Demons.”
See photos of Jennifer Nettles at Stagecoach.
Don McLean: If Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” was the anthem of opening day of Stagecoach 2014, McLean’s set-ending “American Pie” was the anthem of day two.
See photos of Don McLean at Stagecoach.
Hunter Hayes plays the drums on stage at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival on Saturday, April 26, 2014. (Charlotte Bray/Freelance Photographer)
Hunter Hayes: The boy wonder delighted the crowd by playing multiple instruments and drawing fans away from the beer tents to pack the field and their seats.
See photos of Hunter Hayes at Stagecoach.
Corb Lund: Corb Lund might be the funniest person at Stagecoach. He sang songs about cows, whiskey and keeping a bible on the dashboard to keep a band out of trouble while touring.
If you’re into the alt-country of Hayes Carll, you’ll love Lund.
Quote of the set: “This next song I wrote strictly for the girls. It’s a military history song.”
Jason Isbell: There’s always one songwriter on the Palomino Stage that gives me chills. In the past it’s been Nick 13 and Jason Intveld. This year, Jason Isbell was it.
He has such a soulful voice, which was the star on songs such as “Alabama Pines” and “Cover Me Up,” but the highlight was the rollicking set-closer “Super 8.”
See photos of Jason Isbell at Stagecoach.
–Freelance reporter Charlotte Bray contributed to this report.
Want more Stagecoach photos, updates and stories? Visit the iGuide Stagecoach special section. Also, check out The Best of Stagecoach 2014.