Every music festival has that moment. We look over the schedule and try to get to everything we want to see, but there's always choices to be made. Even with just two stages to choose from, the Stagecoach lineup got a little jam packed in Day 2 but provided a ton of great artists both new and returning.
Jade Jackson is no stranger to kicking off a stage (like Arroyo Seco 2017) as she was the first act on the Palomino stage. Her blend of country, rock, and folk really came alive as she played with an expanded band featuring a B3 organ and pedal steel guitar. After her set, she stopped by the 88.5 FM Stagecoach HQ to play a song and talk about what she has been up to since releasing Gilded last year.
The middle of the day was fairly low key in anticipation for visits from Brothers Osborne and Kacey Musgraves. Both came by to talk about their new albums and a little on how they are different from your ordinary country music star today.
Once the visits wrapped up, it was time for the jam packed schedule to begin. Jason Isbell had already started up with the 400 Unit on the Palomino Stage so we had to hustle across the Polo Fields to catch a majority of the set. He performed songs from across his catalogue and proved why he is today's version of Tom Petty. Wearing large white pants because he knew he couldn't possibly compete with Dwight Yoakam for the tightest pants, he played songs that rocked but also quieter heartfelt songs that you don't hear as often in a festival setting. Finishing with his latest single "If We Were Vampires", Jason had one of the more inspiring sets of the day.
The Brothers Osborne then kicked into high gear on the Mane Stage with rock and roll guitars. Not afraid of a good ol' extended guitar solo, brothers T.J. and John proved why they are one of country's best duos today.
Almost simultaneously, Dwight Yoakam started the final set of the day at the Palomino Stage to a packed tent, with plenty of people outside taking in his legendary music as well. He always knows how to treat a crowd and made sure to pay homage to other legends like Elvis, Merle Haggard, and Buck Owens.
A packed tent for Dwight Yoakam's Stagecoach set.
As Dwight Yoakam wrapped up, Kacey Musgraves prepared to take on the massive Mane Stage. She started on the quieter side with "Slow Burn", quite possibly her most impactful song on the new Golden Hour album. She wowed the crowd with other songs from her latest release including "Butterflies" and "Lonely Weekend", showing a unique skill to balance her country roots with a pop sound.
With Day 2 in the books, Day 3 looks to be an easy one with Lukas Nelson and the great Gordon Lightfoot scheduled to perform.
