This yr’s version of the annual Stagecoach nation music pageant is within the books. From Friday to Sunday, tens of hundreds of followers traversed the dusty grounds of Indio’s Empire Polo Membership, the place the headliners had been Zach Bryan, Jelly Roll and Luke Combs. I used to be there all weekend bringing you the highs and the lows as they occurred. Right here’s what went down on Day 3:
A ‘Friend’-ly end
Combs accomplished Stagecoach’s run of burly, bearded headliners with a characteristically strong set that blended his hard-rocking energy nation hits with a handful of the sentimental ballads he stated he adores even supposing “people say I sing too many love songs.” Sporting denims, boots and certainly one of his trademark short-sleeved Columbia button-down shirts, Combs strung collectively country-radio staples together with “1, 2 Many,” “When It Rains It Pours,” “One Number Away” and “Beautiful Crazy”; he additionally introduced out Bailey Zimmerman to debut their new duet, “Backup Plan,” which Combs stated they had been taking pictures the music video for as he spoke.
A extra shocking visitor look got here from Joel and Benji Madden of the pop-punk band Good Charlotte, who did their “Anthem,” then caught round to pitch in on Combs’ “Where the Wild Things Are.” (I’m not fully positive Benji had ever heard that one earlier than Sunday evening.) For an encore, Combs sang his tender model of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car,” which he stated had modified his life, and “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” from final yr’s “Twisters” film, earlier than welcoming Garth Brooks to the stage for “one last ‘hell yeah’ before we all go back to the real world.” It was “Friends in Low Places,” after all, and it received the place leaping.
The Backstreet Boys had been maybe the unlikeliest act to play Stagecoach’s Palomino tent this yr.
(Scott Dudelson / Getty Pictures for Stagecoach)
Boys amongst males
Maybe the unlikeliest act to play Stagecoach’s Palomino tent this yr (after earlier late-night appearances by T-Ache and Creed), the Backstreet Boys turned up in an array of distressed-leather outfits like 5 Previous West himbos on the lookout for a barmaid to woo. The boy band’s choreography appeared unchanged from the late ’90s, as did its songs, although I’d’ve detected a whisper of pedal metal in “Drowning.” To place a button on the entire weekend, Combs came visiting from the principle stage to sing just a few strains of “As Long as You Love Me” — an ideal music, as any report manufacturing unit denizen from Nashville to Sweden is aware of.
John Rzeznik, left, and Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls debate who’s higher — Elton John or Billy Joel?
(Scott Dudelson / Getty Pictures for Stagecoach)
5 minutes backstage with the Goo Goo Dolls
Your publicist says you’re at work in your fifteenth studio album. The web says it’ll be your 14th. Care to settle this?John Rzeznik: All the time imagine the web — there are guidelines in opposition to being fallacious.
What’s probably the most country-ish Goo Goo Dolls music?Rzeznik: Within the set at present, in all probability a music referred to as “Come to Me.” There’s one other music referred to as “Walk Away,” however we thought that is likely to be pandering.
What’s a rustic music you suppose you can kill?Rzeznik: Nicely, it’s essential to steer clear of any Chris Stapleton music as a result of he has the best voice ever. Once I take heed to Chris Stapleton, I am going, “This guy’s channeling Al Green.” It’s some soiled soul. So he’s off the checklist. There’s that one Johnny Money music — I don’t know the title of it, but it surely’s about him engaged on an meeting line and he retains stealing components?
Robby Takac: “One Piece at a Time.”
Rzeznik: We might crush that music.
“Iris” was nominated for report of the yr and music of the yr on the Grammys in 1999. I’m sorry to remind you that it received neither. Keep in mind who beat you?Each: Celine Dion.
Takac: Wanna hear one thing loopy? Shortly after that, we had been using down the freeway on our bus, and our driver goes, “Hey, Celine Dion’s bus is next to us.” She received on the CB and sang “My Heart Will Go On.” It was kind of a comfort prize.
Billy Joel has carried out “Iris” with you. Ever cowl a Billy Joel music?Rzeznik: I don’t suppose so. But when we had been to, it must be —
Takac: “You May Be Right.”
Rzeznik: We’ve had this debate: Who’s higher — Elton John or Billy Joel? It’s a great one as a result of I see each side.
Takac: Nevertheless it’s Elton John with Bernie Taupin.
Rzeznik: That’s the factor. Billy Joel sat there all by himself and wrote these songs.
Did the Goo Goo Dolls ever have a move-to-L.A. rock-star second?Rzeznik: Yeah, I used to be in the course of a divorce. Nice time to maneuver to L.A., particularly after you’ve had a little bit little bit of success. I used to be residing within the Le Parc resort, and that’s the place I wrote “Iris.”
Who is aware of what would’ve occurred in case you’d by no means moved?Rzeznik: Who is aware of what would’ve occurred if I’d tried to get alongside higher with my first spouse?
After you guys, who’s the second-best act from Buffalo, N.Y.?Rzeznik: Rick James.
Takac: He is likely to be one of the best.
What was one of the best factor concerning the ’80s?Rzeznik: No cellphones.
What was the worst factor concerning the ’90s?Rzeznik: It wound up working in our favor, however we didn’t match into the grunge factor, we didn’t match into the alt-rock factor, we didn’t match into mainstream music. We had been like orphans. We didn’t have a gang so we needed to create our personal factor.
Takac: Can I provide a worst factor concerning the ’80s?
You might.Takac: That f—ing Metallic Blade report deal we signed.
Rzeznik: Once we lastly received an actual lawyer and he learn that deal, he stated to us, “This is worse than TLC’s record deal.” I used to be like, “Oh my God — we are the two stupidest human beings on the face of the earth.”
“This is a song about the appreciation of reality,” Sammy Hagar stated as he launched Van Halen’s “Right Now.”
(Timothy Norris / Getty Pictures for Stagecoach)
Hagar the hedonist
“This is a song about the appreciation of reality,” Sammy Hagar declared somewhat high-mindedly to introduce Van Halen’s “Right Now” within the Palomino. For probably the most half, although, the 77-year-old rock veteran was chasing easier delights on this endearingly sloppy efficiency: intercourse (as in “Poundcake”), quick automobiles (“I Can’t Drive 55”) and tequila (“Mas Tequila,” duh). For that final tune, Hagar advised the gang, “We’re gonna take this s— to the beach,” then made good on it by taking off his sneakers — and his socks — and rolling up his pants to clam-digging size. Man Fieri even popped out to take a swig from Hagar’s bottle.
Pageant trend report
Out: Denim thongs
In: Gingham bloomers
Out: Classic band T-shirts
In: Clingy “Cowboy Pillows” T-shirts
Out: Mustaches (a minimum of in comparison with Coachella)
In: Beards (in lots of circumstances minus a mustache)
Out: Backward ball caps
In: Camo Zach Bryan hats
Scotty McCreery performs at Stagecoach on Sunday.
(Timothy Norris / Getty Pictures for Stagecoach)
5 minutes backstage with Scotty McCreery
You may have a 2-year-old son. What music is he into?He loves Daddy’s songs, but it surely’s not like they’re simply Daddy’s songs. I’ve received a music referred to as “It Matters to Her,” and that’s our canine Moose’s music — Moose is within the music video. Mommy’s music is a music referred to as “Slow Dance.” Everyone within the household has a music.
What’s a rustic music you like however you understand higher than to strive doing your self?Something Chris Stapleton sings.
Describe your health routine.Not less than 45 minutes day by day — commerce off between cardio and lifting. However I in all probability do higher lifting the fork than something.
What’s an grownup beverage you’ve sworn off?Fireball. One too many dangerous experiences.
Would you somewhat be 10% extra gifted or 10% better-looking?Ten % better-looking wouldn’t do me a lot good so I’ll take the expertise.
What’s the very last thing you used ChatGPT for?I used to be making an attempt to determine some landscaping within the yard and I couldn’t image it. So I requested it if it might draw me what it will appear like. Truly made some fairly good examples.
You may have any tattoos?No tattoos. Considered it in Vegas as soon as — was with all my guys at a golf match. However I believed wiser.
What may you’ve gotten?Most likely a Bible verse.
Are you a great golfer?I’m a great golfer in comparison with many of the world. However a few of my buddies are significantly better than me. A lot better than me.
