Lainey Wilson’s Response When Stagecoach Faced Wind Troubles
Lainey Wilson appeared unfazed by the high winds that briefly halted the Stagecoach festival on Saturday night. Headlining the main stage after an hour-long delay, during which fans were evacuated from Indio’s Empire Polo Club, Wilson addressed the crowd, quipping, “I hope y’all sat in your cars and drank some tequila.” The enthusiastic response from the audience suggested that many may have taken her advice to heart.
As only the third woman to headline Stagecoach in the past five years, Wilson delivered a vibrant performance showcasing the riff-heavy country-rock sound that has catapulted her to stardom after a decade of perseverance, including time spent living in a camper trailer. Hits like “Can’t Sit Still” and “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” were delivered with swagger, while “Country’s Cool Again” offered a funky, down-home groove. To enhance the stage, which resembled a desert oasis adorned with a glittering horseshoe and prop cacti, Wilson brought a horn section and background singers, transforming “Dreamcatcher” into a psychedelic roots-soul experience.
Midway through her set, Wilson welcomed guests Little Big Town and Riley Green, joining for a lively rendition of Merle Haggard’s “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink,” complete with drinks in plastic cups. Green, whose own performance was canceled due to the winds, later joined Wilson for “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.” Also affected by the weather was Journey’s scheduled set on the Mustang stage.
Among her other special guests was a young girl Wilson introduced as the “cowgirl of the night” during her performance of “Things a Man Oughta Know.” The show continued with Wilson’s dreamy hit “Somewhere Over Laredo” and a sultry rendition of “Watermelon Moonshine,” a nostalgic love song from 2023 that remains a standout in her catalog.
