Things took an unexpected turn at Stagecoach Festival over the weekend when the festival was briefly stopped and attendees were evacuated due to safety concerns and extremely high winds.
While the pause didn’t last long, it was enough to throw a handful of sets into chaos, with several artists unable to take the stage as scheduled. Fans who had been gearing up for those performances were left disappointed in the moment, but in true Stagecoach fashion, the energy didn’t stay down for long.
Once the all-clear was given and gates reopened, the festival quickly got back into full swing. Still, the ripple effect of the delay meant some artists missed their slots entirely.
But in a move that honestly sums up the country community at its best, Lainey Wilson stepped in to make sure those artists - and their fans - still got a moment. During her set, she brought out Riley Green who was one of the performers who had their sets cut, giving them a chance to hit the stage and be part of the night anyway.
Together they performed a cover of Merle Haggard’s I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink as well as his own original song I Wish Grandpas Never Died.
Little Big Town also made an appearance during the set, joining Wilson and Green for the Haggard cover.
Moments like that are what separate festivals from just a lineup of shows. Even when things don’t go to plan, there’s a sense of camaraderie that kicks in, and artists backing each other in real time is a big part of that.
All in all, while the brief evacuation was a curveball no one saw coming, Stagecoach bounced back quickly and it still delivered the kind of moments fans will be talking about long after the dust settles.
Countrytown brings you Australia’s best country music news, interviews, charts and more every week! This post was authored by Countrytown and originally published on the Countrytown website. It has been re-published with permission.
