We are so back, my country-loving friends.
Friday, April 24 marked the first day of Stagecoach 2026, and it was honestly an absolutely wonderful first day.
It was very dusty and windy, so that was a bummer — weather conditions that veteran festivalgoers were not the least bit surprised about — but the positives far outweighed the negatives, especially a surprise celebrity spotting and a career-advancing set for Ella Langley.
So, without further ado, here are the top three best and top three worst moments of Stagecoach 2026 Day 1. Let’s start with the bad and end with the good.
THE WORST MOMENTS
When the wind, and thus dust, blew into the fest in full force
My colleague Tom Coulter wrote earlier today that an “alert from the South Coast Air Quality Management District warns of windblown dust and high particle pollution (known as PM10) starting in the late afternoon Friday,” and damn, was he/the district right. As forecasted, right around 5 p.m., the palm trees started violently swaying and the dust was more visible than I’ve seen in a while. However, in true Stagecoach, the party continued to rage on (with most people seemingly unbothered, not wearing any face coverings).
When I remembered Stagecoach gets way fewer special guests than Coachella
I hate to be that person. I really do. I know I’m incredibly fortunate to cover/attend all three Goldenvoice music festival weekends on the polo grounds every April, and I hate to compare them. But it’s hard not to when Coachella pulls special guests like Olivia Rodrigo, Joe Jonas, Billy Corgan, Billie Lee Roth and even Madonna, and Stagecoach mostly just gets people who are already at the festival playing with each other. Today, the biggest guest we got was Billy Ray Cyrus, and no offense to Hannah Montana’s dad but … that’s sad haha. (Editor’s note: Right as I was about to hit publish on this story, Boyz II Men came out with headliner Cody Johnson, so I stand corrected, we got at least one good guest act.)
When Cody Johnson made me think for 10 seconds that Carrie Underwood was onstage but she wasn’t
Look, I’m going to be honest. I’m not a fan of Cody Johnson. I do, however, like a lot of Carrie Underwood’s songs (it probably helps that I’m 32 years old and was an avid “American Idol” fan during the time she was on the show) so I was pumped when I saw her face plastered all over the Mane Stage screen during “I’m Gonna Love You” — so much so, that I briefly thought she was there, but no, it was just a recording. Major let down.
THE BEST MOMENTS
Ella Langley. Period, end of sentence
Ella Langley has been one of my favorite (current) country artists for several months now, and at one point I was actually worried she wouldn’t live up to my expectations. I had absolutely positively nothing to worry about. Langley didn’t bring out any big special guests — though comedian Theo Von did do a pretty good job filling in for Riley Green on “You Look Like You Love Me” — but, frankly, she had no need for one. Her voice sounded incredible, her outfit was gorgeous, she sang all my favorite hits (ending on “Weren’t for the Wind” during a windy sunset was perfection) and she even got vulnerable at one point to discuss her mental health. 10/10, no notes.
Sam Barber bringing out Avery Anna to sing ‘Indigo’ (finally)
I’ve been a fan of both Sam Barber and Avery Anna for a little over a year now, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said to myself “wow, it would be so great to hear those two sing together live.” Well, I got my wish Friday during Sam Barber’s incredibly moving set in the Palomino tent. Barber made us wait until the last couple songs, but finally Anna (after her Mane Stage debut earlier in the day) popped up on the screen in a beautiful white lace dress, and stayed off in the wings until Barber went back there to formally bring her out for “Indigo,” their hit collaboration that “changed both of our lives,” as Anna perfectly put it. They noted that the live duet was long overdue, and were all smiles as they exited the stage together.
An unexpected celebrity appearance
Stagecoach is always less star-studded than Coachella, but it still gest its fair share of familiar faces attending. However, perhaps the most familiar face of late was spotted Friday when our eagle-eyed photojournalist noted a blonde standing near him who was getting a lot of attention. That blonde was none other than Sydney Sweeney of “Euphoria” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” fame. The actress was spotted at rapper/songwriter BigXthaPlug’s Friday set on the Mustang Stage, which was honestly the last set I would expect her to be at, but hey, she keeps us on our toes.
(This story was updated to add a photo.)
Desert Sun reporter Paul Albani-Burgio contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Best moments of Stagecoach 2026 Day 1 include Ella Langley, Sam Barber
Reporting by Niki Kottmann, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
