Stagecoach 2012: cowboys, boots and beers
Despite growing up by a decidedly un-redneck family in the suburbs, I was raised on country music. Now my iTunes library is fairly eclectic with plenty of indie music, pop hits and underground hiphop, but it still has its share of classic and new country. I love the stories country music tells, and the focus on a simple life with friends, family and lifelong love–and no one does a break-up song like a county artist.
My best friends in college turned out to be country music fans as well: we line danced as we pre-partied, schmoozed our way into Luke Bryan’s trailer with our sorority composite and slipped on boots and sundresses for summer concerts.
In my 2012 resolutions, I committed to going to at least one music festival: I knew it would be out of my usual budget, but it was something I was willing to splurge on. So when I found out my best friend’s family was hosting a group at their place in the desert for Stagecoach Country Music Festival, I immediately bought a ticket and booked a flight.
It turned out to be three days of good-hearted American fun: USA flags flew from the tops of RVs, and were featured on many T-shirts and tattoos. Most of the crowd seemed to be twenty-somethings, but families and couples of all ages made an appearance. Plenty of country girls wore nothing but bikinis, boots and cowboy hats as they strolled around the grounds, while many cowboys rocked a cowboy hat, big ol’ belt buckle and six-pack abs.
We spent our mornings making new friends around the the campground and playing ladder toss, flip cup and cornhole. After setting up our blankets and chairs on the festival grounds, we whiled away the afternoon napping in the sunshine, playing liars dice and snacking on barbecue. Once the shows on the Mane Stage started around 4 p.m., we were singing along with our favorites and joining in the crowd line dancing.
As for the actual country music shows? Luke Bryan was my favorite performer by a long shot: not only did he rock all his party country hits, but he also killed Adele’s “Someone Like You” on the piano. (It doesn’t hurt that he is pretty much the sexiest man in country music.) Relative newcomer Justin Moore made every girl swoon when he sung his breakout hit “Small Town USA” with his adorable toddler daughter on his hip. I’m not a big fan of many Brad Paisley songs, but man, the guy can play guitar–and Blake Shelton put on a hell of a performance. Alt-rock fave Sheryl Crow threw on a country twang for her biggest 90s hits, while Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert and Sara Evans were all examples of beautiful country women who know how to belt out a country anthem. I’m a big fan of Jason Aldean, The Eli Young Band and The Band Perry, and their live performances were stellar.
Overall, it was an incredible weekend which was worth diving into my savings. Often, when I’m traveling, I miss the little things about home: apple pie, In & Out burger, girls nights out. But when I get home, I get distracted by all the little things I don’t love about the USA and immediately set my sights on my next adventure. Stagecoach was an awesome chance to reflect on all that I love about America: the sense of small-town community, the emphasis on good clean fun, the love of a cold beer. More than anything, I got to catch up with my best friend: there’s something about trading clothes, laying by the pool and sipping mimosas on a sunny morning that Skype dates can’t even come close to replicating.
And if you’re looking for an authentic American experience: Stagecoach is a pretty awesome place to find it.
Music festival 2012: check! Special thanks to the Camp Ogden crew for all the fun and hospitality.
