Stagecoach festival left fans in a state of anger and confusion on Saturday night after it was evacuated due to high winds – but ended up going ahead. Winds grew stronger throughout Big Little Town’s performance, forcing food vendors to close early before the festival itself was paused and performers were ushered offstage.
A message quickly appeared on screen directing fans to move as quickly as possible to the nearest exit. It read: “The festival has been postponed until further notice.”
Stagecoach recommences
Approximately 90 minutes after thousands of fans walked toward the parking lot and shuttles, the festival sent out a notification saying the show would, in fact, resume and that headliner Lainey Wilson’s set was being pushed back an hour to 10:30 pm.
Scheduled sets by Gavin Adcock and Pitbull were also delayed, while Journey and Riley Green had their performances canceled altogether, according to an update posted on the Stagecoach app. Fans were enraged by the U-turn.
Fans react
Taking to social media, one penned: “Back in our cars to our hotels and Airbnb because we were instructed emergency evacuation! Unreal,” while another disgruntled attendee wrote: “How to NOT run a festival 101. Can’t wait for the documentary to drop.”
A third wrote: “I’m in pjs in the hotel eating my Taco Bell, I am not coming back.” Meanwhile, a fourth said: “DISAPPOINTED. You had so many fans waiting for you to adjust given the circumstances.”
There were also questions from fans surrounding the logistical decisions made on the night. Some raised the issue of trying to get back into the festival and not being allowed entry by attendants, while another flagged an issue with Stagecoach’s app notifications, writing on Instagram: “Even if you were sending messages via the app, because of the emergency, the system was overloaded, and we weren’t getting the messages.”
© Getty Images for StagecoachThe third and final day of the festival is still set to commence on Sunday, with Post Malone in the headlining spot.
What is Stagecoach?
Stagecoach is an annual country music festival put on in Indio, California, and organized and promoted by Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of AEG Presents. Widely considered the sister event to Coachella, the festival dates back to 2007, and previous notable performers include Taylor Swift,Shania Twain, and Carrie Underwood.
© InstagramA-listers spotted attending the 2026 edition include Elizabeth Hurley and her boyfriend Billy Ray Cyrus, Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney, and actress Mila Kunis.
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