By Robert Kinsler
After two weeks of modern rock, electronica, hip-hop and soul courtesy of the two-weekend Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Indio will be filled with the sounds of country and Americana music at the Empire Polo Club, April 26-28.
Stagecoach is hosting a mix of contemporary and classic artists who will perform during the festival’s three day run, with discerning listeners having to often make difficult choices in terms of what artist to see since there are frequently strong performances playing out at the same time.
Here is a rundown of some of the most acclaimed artists set to perform at Stagecoach.
Friday, April 26
While Roger McGuinn will be forever recognized for his seminal role as a member of The Byrds in the 1960s and ‘70s, the singer-songwriter-guitarist has spent the better part of the last two decades focusing on his folk roots. Indeed, his winning 2011 released Ccd featured his versions of Celtic-flavored sea chanteys including “Catch the Greenland Whale” and “So Early in the Spring.” His appearance should be one of the highlights of Stagecoach.
What happens when you mix old-time bluegrass, folk and alt country music? Catch the always wonderful Old Crow Medicine Show when they take the stage and deliver their incredible and energetic brew to fine out. The band tore it up at Coachella three years ago, and is now set to impress at Goldenvoice’s other big festival in the desert.
Saturday, April 27
Dwight Yoakam’s 3 Pears was one of the best albums of 2012 and returned the Pikeville, Kentucky native to center stage on the country music scene. A gifted singer able to deliver his songs with a magical mix of emotion and power, “3 Pears” appeared on more critics’ top 10 year lists than any other country music artist of the year.
Nick 13 is best known as the hard hitting lead singer in the psychobilly band Tiger Army. But fans also know he uses his solo shows to perform his sweet country music that has more in common with Roy Orbison and Raul Malo than the punk-minded Tiger Army. This will be a homecoming of sorts since he debuted his solo project with a full-length performance at Stagecoach 2010.
Sunday, April 28
Before the rise of the Zac Brown Band a few years ago, country music had no artful answer to the mix of song craft, enthralling marathon concerts and overall feeling that have long made Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band shows so legendary. Singer-songwriter-guitarist Zac Brown and his trusty outfit do more than play original radio favorites; the troupe infuses their stellar appearances with a depth and brawn that outdistances the majority of its contemporaries.
Blue Sky Riders is a new name on the roots and country music scene, but the trio’s sterling lineup includes singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins, singer-songwriter Georgia Middleman (who has worked with Keith Urban, Faith Hill and Martina McBride) and famed Nashville tunesmith Gary Burr. There is no doubt that the three members’ vocals are a potent combination, especially when joining forces in harmony. Among the threesome’s fantastic songs featured on their 2013 debut Finally Home is the soaring “Dream,” melodic folk gem “A Thousand Wild Horses” and dance-minded “I Get It.”
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