Off the back of a standout edition, Stagecoach organisers praised the transformation of the country music genre with IQ.

Goldenvoice EVP Stacy Vee, who helps produce and book Stagecoach, hailed the second-annual sell-out of California’s “country Coachella”. The 85,000-capacity festival returned to Empire Polo Club in Indio, California from 25-27 April, following its sister festival’s two weekends.

For an event that began in 2007, its back-to-back sellouts are a reflection of country music’s meteoric rise over recent years, driven in part by the genre’s widespread rise in streaming. In the US, streaming rose by 7% year-on-year, as opposed to 1% growth industry-wide. Globally, 11 different country albums garnered at least 1bn streams, up drastically from only five in 2022, according to Luminate.

For 2025, the Goldenvoice-promoted festival featured powerhouses Zach Bryan, Jelly Roll, and Luke Combs as headliners, with the likes of Brothers Osborne, Sturgill Simpson, Mumford & Sons, Sierra Ferrell, Shaboozey, and dozens more filling out the bill. Unique bill additions included Lana Del Rey, Goo Goo Dolls, Nelly, T-Pain, Creed, and the Backstreet Boys.

“They have brought themselves into country music, and I am giving them a further platform to showcase their alignment. They’re on the border of wanting to be in the space, wanting to be part of the community, and I am just looking to celebrate that,” she says.

As country music ushers in fresh influences from thought-to-be unconventional sources, like megastar Beyoncé and rapper Post Malone, Vee spoke about how the genre is widening its audience pool as a result.

“These new artists are just making the genre so rich, diverse and interesting”

“What’s happening is there are so many artists wanting to be in the space, but what they do is they do their interpretation of country music,” Vee says. “That is expanding and bringing new people into the genre.

“It all comes from a community of songwriting, and of American history. It’s just such a rich culture and something that I’m so proud to be a part of. There’s something really special and substantial about it, and for so many artists, it’s sort of a new frontier.”

She hailed artists entering the space, like chart-topper Shaboozey, for making it their own. His A Bar Song (Tipsy) tied Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road, another new-country hit, with 19 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 last year.

“These new artists are creating all these new sounds and making the genre so rich, diverse and interesting. Country music is just so much fun right now,” Vee says.

Artist collaboration, both in the country music space and with genres like electronic, hip-hop, and pop, has helped facilitate the unstoppable spread of country. Furthermore, accessibility through streaming has catapulted the genre into markets far beyond its American home.

Last year, Germany recorded an incredible 58% hike in country music streaming. Australia saw a 28% bump, while Canada saw 18% growth, per Luminate. The UK, which hosted the Country 2 Country (C2C) festival across London, Glasgow, and Belfast in March, saw an unprecedented 78% rise last year, according to the Official Charts Company.

Following his “electric” headlining slot, Zach Bryan will voyage across the pond this summer to deliver three Phoenix Park shows in Dublin, which boasts a capacity of up to 135,000 people, and two BST Hyde Park performances in London, before returning to the US for a stadium run.

Embracing and championing the genre’s changing nature has certainly helped Stagecoach prosper, and Vee says she hopes the festival can be a beacon for other events.

“We don’t ever want to change anything overnight, because then you lose people”

“We’re playing our part by trying new things, and maybe pushing the genre forward by demonstrating that things can work by amplifying diverse voices and being really creative,” she says.

“I think sometimes the country fan can be underestimated in their appetite for new things and new sounds. We love our fans, and I think that they’re ready to have fun and try new things.”

Despite promoting playfulness and merriment — “we’re not too cool for school,” Vee laughs — she affirms that the festival and its brand are built on intentionality.

“I’m super hands-on when it comes to the presentation of everything: the creative, the aesthetic, the artwork, the sponsors, the partners,” she continues. “Every inch of that festival is intentional, a careful decision that we pour over 365 days a year. But we don’t take ourselves too seriously,  we love to be playful.”

Part of that intentionality is maintaining a single-weekend festival instead of strapping in for a second, with Vee affirming it is “really great being the size that it is”.

New ventures are on the horizon for the AEG subsidiary, as Vee gears up to launch the Morgan Wallen-curated Sand In My Boots festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, from 16-18 May. Wallen, Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, and Hardy will headline, with Diplo, Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz, Three 6 Mafia, and 3 Doors Down also on the bill.

Still, blending the historic roots of country music with its modern evolution is integral to the event’s future success. A poignant example of this was the surprise appearance by country legend Garth Brooks during megastar Luke Combs’ set — a standout moment for Vee.

“Things can change so quickly,” she says. “It’s an organic, slow evolution. We don’t ever want to change anything overnight, because then you lose people. We don’t ever want to make our long-time tried and true country fans feel that Stagecoach isn’t for them anymore. It is, and that’s the basis of who we are. We have found it to be the most successful to just approach every year as it comes and make careful, intentional decisions to keep Stagecoach the A-Class festival.”

A special feature examining the burgeoning genre of contemporary country music appears in the new May edition of IQ Magazine.

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Ed Sheeran and Weezer have joined the lineup for the forthcoming Coachella Valley Arts & Music Festival, while FKA Twigs has been forced to drop out due to “visa issues”.

The 125,000-capacity festival in California will return for a 24th instalment between 11–13 and 18–20 April at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.

Weezer – who’ve been celebrating the 30th anniversary of their 1994 self-titled debut – will play the Mojave tent on Saturday afternoon (3:10-3:55 p.m.) on 12 April, during the festival’s first weekend.

Sheeran also takes a Saturday daytime slot (3–4 pm) in Mojave on Saturday 19 April, during weekend two.

“It pains me to say this because I am so excited to bring you a creation that I have poured my soul into”

The lineup update comes just after FKA Twigs dropped out of the festival, and the remainder of her April tour dates in North America, due to “ongoing visa issues.”

“It pains me to say this because I am so excited to bring you a creation that I have poured my soul into and I believe is amongst my strongest work and I know this news impacts so many of you that have already made plans and spent money in order to see these shows,” Twigs announced via X (formerly Twitter).

The English artist, who is represented by UTA’s Sam Kirby Yoh and Parker Glenn in North America, promised she’s “working to reschedule the affected dates as quickly as possible.”

Brazilian pop star Anitta also dropped out of Coachella last month “due to unexpected personal reasons.”

Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone and Travis Scott are due to headline the Goldenvoice-promoted festival.

Other major acts lined up for Coachella 2025 include Missy Elliott, Charli XCX, Megan Thee Stallion, solo performances from BLACKPINK‘s Lisa and Jennie, Benson Boone, the original Misfits, Zedd, The Prodigy, Clairo, Enhypen and more.

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Four independent California music festivals have unveiled a joint ticket for their 2025 editions, allowing holders to visit all four events.

For US$599, individuals can purchase one of a limited number of IndepenDANCE Passes, granting general admission entry to Joshua Tree Music Festival in May or October, Desert Hearts in early July, Northern Nights Music Festival in mid-July, and Same Same But Different in September. The pass has a notional value of more than $2,000.

“Independent festivals have always been about community, and now we’re taking that to the next level,” said Brad Sweet, Same Same But Different co-founder and CEO, in a roundtable discussion about the passes.

“We pour everything we have into creating spaces where people can truly connect, dance freely, and experience something real, and now we’re uniting to create something bigger than any one festival, a collective that strengthens the entire scene and gives our community more access, more connection, and more unforgettable experiences across the festival season.”

“With collaboration and supporting one another, we can really make a difference”

As the festival sector faces sustained challenges — mounting costs, rising artist fees, and the ‘festivalisation of concerts’ being a key concern as highlighted during this year’s International Live Music Conference — independent events are disproportionately affected.

“Most independent festivals do not come from deep pockets […] None of us are in it to get rich, we know that’s not the case of what this business is, but I think that with collaboration and supporting one another, we can really make a difference in this world,” said Desert Hearts’ Mikey Lion.

Last year, more than 100 Dutch festivals and dozens of UK festivals were cancelled or discontinued. Australia has had several notable cancellations in recent years, most recently with Groovin The Moo for its second consecutive year.

In response to the crisis, the Australian state of Victoria is offering grants of up to AU$ 50,000 to local festival organisers.

Other innovations have seen German event network Höme offer refundable tickets to 120 events, while Iowa-based Hinterland has introduced a 90 Degree Guarantee, which allows ticket holders to request a refund if the forecast predicts 90 degrees or higher. Last year, Slovakian festival Pohoda shifted 500 lifetime passes priced at €999 each.

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Goldenvoice has announced its annual lineup of sideshows for this year’s Coachella Valley Arts & Music Festival.

Goldenvoice Presents April comprises more than 30 intimate concerts by artists due to perform at the 125,000-capacity festival in California.

Jimmy Eat World, Djo, Lola Young, Basement Jaxx, beabadoobee and Beth Gibbons are among the artists lined up for the concert series, slated for the fortnight before Coachella in venues across Southern California.

Participating venues include The Roxy Theatre, El Rey Theatre, Fonda Theatre, The Novo, Fox Theater Pomona, The Glass House Pomona, The Orpheum, Sound Nightclub, Belly Up, Music Box, and The Sound.

Coachella will return for a 24th instalment between 11–13 and 18–20 April at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, headlined by Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone and Travis Scott.

Goldenvoice Presents April comprises more than 30 intimate concerts by artists due to perform at Coachella 2025

Malone has been confirmed to close out both Sundays, following his headline performance at Coachella’s sister event Stagecoach this year.

It is Gaga’s second time as a Coachella headliner, following her appearance in 2017 when she filled in for a pregnant Beyoncé.

Green Day will play Coachella as a band for the first time, although frontman Billie Joe Armstrong performed as part of the Replacements in 2014.

Scott is billed as the fourth headliner, occupying the same spot on the poster that No Doubt did in 2024 with the tagline “Travis Scott designs the desert”.

Other major acts lined up for Coachella 2025 include Missy Elliott, Charli XCX, Megan Thee Stallion, solo performances from BLACKPINK‘s Lisa and Jennie, Benson Boone, the original Misfits, Zedd, The Prodigy, FKA Twigs, Clairo, Enhypen and more.

Goldenvoice Presents April dates are as follows:

Wednesday, April 9 – Blonde Redhead – Belly Up (San Diego)
Wednesday, April 9 – The Dare with Kumo 99 – The Glass House
Wednesday, April 9 – The Go-Go’s – The Roxy Theatre
Wednesday, April 9 – Thee Sacred Souls with Los Yesterdays – Fox Theater Pomona
Thursday, April 10 – Eyedress – El Rey Theatre
Thursday, April 10 – Jimmy Eat World with Glixen – Fox Theater Pomona
Friday, April 11 – Alok presents Something Else – Sound Nightclub
Saturday, April 12 – Sparrow & Barbossa – Sound Nightclub
Monday, April 14 – Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 + Los Mirlos – The Roxy Theatre
Monday, April 14 – Still Woozy – The Glass House
Monday, April 14 – Together Pangea with Prison Affair – El Rey Theatre
Tuesday, April 15 – Afrojack presents Kapuchon – Sound Nightclub
Tuesday, April 15 – Djo with Post Animal – Fox Theater Pomona
Tuesday, April 15 – GloRilla with Real Boston Richy – The Novo
Tuesday, April 15 – Lola Young with Bob Vylan – Fonda Theatre
Tuesday, April 15 – Miike Snow – The Glass House
Tuesday, April 15 – Speed with HiTech – The Roxy Theatre
Wednesday, April 16 – Djo – The Sound (San Diego)
Wednesday, April 16 – DIXON + Jimi Jules + Yulia Niko – Sound Nightclub
Wednesday, April 16 – Hope Tala – Music Box (San Diego)
Wednesday, April 16 – julie + Fcukers – The Glass House
Wednesday, April 16 – Maribou State with Shermanology – The Roxy Theatre
Wednesday, April 16 – Parcels with Ginger Root – Fox Theater Pomona
Wednesday, April 16 – SAINt JHN – The Novo
Thursday, April 17 – Basement Jaxx (LIVE) – Fonda Theatre
Thursday, April 17 – beabadoobee with Pretty Sick + Keni Titus – Fox Theater Pomona
Thursday, April 17 – Beth Gibbons with Bill Ryder Jones – The Orpheum Theater
Thursday, April 17 – Dennis Cruz + Beltran – Sound Nightclub
Thursday, April 17 – El Malilla + Judeline – The Roxy Theatre
Thursday, April 17 – Kneecap with Soft Play – The Glass House
Thursday, April 17 – Medium Build – El Rey Theatre
Thursday, April 17 – Underscores – Music Box (San Diego)
Friday, April 18 – Eli Brown – Sound Nightclub

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Coachella Valley Arts & Music Festival organisers have announced the full line-up for the 2025 edition, headlined by Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone and Travis Scott.

The Goldenvoice-promoted festival (cap 125,000) will return for a 24th instalment between 11–13 and 18–20 April at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.

The lineup announcement comes two months earlier than usual, following reports that Post Malone would headline the Californian festival.

Malone has now been confirmed to close out both Sundays, following his headline performance at Coachella’s sister event Stagecoach this year. It will be his first time as a Coachella headliner, though he performed at the festival in 2018 and has made several guest appearances over the years (most recently with Bad Bunny in 2022).

It is Gaga’s second time as a Coachella headliner, following her appearance in 2017 when she filled in for a pregnant Beyoncé.

Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone and Travis Scott top the bill for next year’s edition

Green Day will play Coachella as a band for the first time, although frontman Billie Joe Armstrong performed as part of the Replacements in 2014.

Scott is billed as the fourth headliner, occupying the same spot on the poster that No Doubt did in 2024 with the tagline “Travis Scott designs the desert”.

In a press release, Scott’s representatives state he is slated to headline the main stage on Saturday night “where he will debut an entirely new era of music to the world”.

Scott was scheduled to headline in 2020 before the festival was cancelled due to the pandemic. He was booked again in 2022, but was taken off the lineup following the fatal crowd crush at his own Astroworld Festival in 2021.

Other major acts lined up for Coachella 2025 include Missy Elliott, Charli XCX, Megan Thee Stallion, solo performances from BLACKPINK‘s Lisa and Jennie, Benson Boone, the original Misfits, Zedd, The Prodigy, FKA Twigs, Beabadoobee, Clairo, Enhypen and more.

This year’s festival was headlined by Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat, No Doubt and Tyler, the Creator.

 

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Insomniac Events’ longest-running festival, Nocturnal Wonderland, has been cancelled due to the fast-growing wildfires in California, US.

The electronic music-focused camping festival, which was launched in 1995, was scheduled to be held this weekend (14-15 September) at Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino.

Acts booked to appear included Kaskade, RL Grime, San Holo, Jesse Brooks, Discovery Project, Apashe, Airglo and Jessica Audiffred, but the event will no longer go ahead.

“While Nocturnal Wonderland was cleared to move forward at the time of our last update, we are saddened to inform you that new fires in the San Bernardino area have ignited over the past 36 hours and are now approaching the Glen Helen Amphitheater,” says a statement from the festival.

“After further discussions with local authorities, due to the impact of the fires surrounding the venue, we will be unable to proceed with Nocturnal Wonderland”

“The health and safety of festival attendees and staff is our highest priority. After further discussions with local authorities, due to the impact of the fires surrounding the venue, we will be unable to proceed with Nocturnal Wonderland.”

Currently, there are 16 active wildfires in California that have burned 613,819 acres.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the fires throughout San Bernardino and Southern California,” adds the event. “We understand the importance of ensuring that local resources are fully dedicated to managing the fires and protecting the surrounding communities.

“In the coming days, we will share more information on how our dance music community can come together to support and give back to the courageous firefighters and those displaced or affected by the fires.”

Last Sunday, a Vance Joy concert at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl was called off following a heat-related power outage, as the Californian city battled extreme heat of up to 104°F (40°C).

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A concert at the Hollywood Bowl was cancelled following a heat-related power outage at the famed US venue.

The 17,500-cap amphitheatre’s entire Sunday (8 September) programme, which was slated to be headlined by Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy, was wiped out as Los Angeles, California, battled extreme heat of up to 104°F (40°C).

“Due to a power outage at the Hollywood Bowl, tonight’s concert is cancelled,” reads a statement posted on the venue’s social media channels. “If a new date for this performance can be confirmed, details will follow and tickets for the original date will be valid for the new performance date.”

Grouplove and Tiny Habits had also been due to perform at the show, which was part of the KCRW Festival, curated in collaboration with the LA radio station. Temperatures were reportedly still in the high 90s at the scheduled 7pm start time.

The DWP said there had been a “circuit outage” in the Hollywood area

Representatives for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) said there had been a “circuit outage” affecting 1,400 households in the Hollywood area, with repairs expected to be completed by today (10 September).

The remainder of the Hollywood Bowl’s September calendar includes gigs by the likes of Boyz II Men, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals with Color of Noize Orchestra, Camilo, Jungle and Mitski.

Other upcoming acts include Justice, Omar Apollo, The National and The War on Drugs, Eric Clapton, Kygo, Imagine Dragons, David Gilmour and Joni Mitchell & The Joni Jam.

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A US festival has become the latest victim of weather-related complications, with California’s Sol Blume postponed two weeks before it was set to take place.

Organisers of the Sacramento-based festival, which was originally set for 3-5 May, pointed to lasting effects from the torrential rain that drenched the state in late February. This is the second consecutive year the festival has been delayed due to extreme weather.

“Mother nature has once again caused commotion and created conditions at the festival site that render it unsafe to build on,” organisers said in a press release. “Although the park is no longer flooded, the damage remains. Due to significant site damage and growing safety concerns, we will not be able to host this year’s festival.”

The fifth edition of the festival, which expanded from two to three days this year, has been pushed to 15-17 August 2025. Organisers have also confirmed that future editions are to be held in the late summer instead of spring to avoid “any weather-related conflicts in the future”.

It is not clear whether the lineup — which included SZA, Snoh Alegra, and Kaytranada leading the bill — will remain the same.

“Even if we prepare for everything, you still can’t really control that”

The 2023 edition, which was deferred from April to August for weather-related impacts, was headlined by Brent Faiyaz and Kehlani. That year, the R&B festival recorded its biggest-ever turnout with 46,000 people attending across two days, as reported by promoters ENT Legends.

The cancellation is the latest example of the impact of extreme weather on live music. Over the past year, several festivals — including Germany’s Wacken Open Air, Spain’s Primavera Sound Madrid, the US’s Ultra Miami, and Australia’s Good Things — have been impacted by ‘freak’ and extreme heat-related incidents, as insurance queries and rates have correspondingly risen.

In the US, adverse weather coverage has “increased significantly” in the last five years, according to Jeff Torda from Higginbotham. Backing this point, a recent Billboard article claimed premiums in North America had tripled in recent years.

The latest edition of ILMC also saw industry leaders discussing ways to cope with the impact of weather on festivals and open-air live music events.

“Thirty years ago, it was mostly the rain, but it’s now changed to raining one second and being 35 or 40°C suddenly after that,” said May Ling of Australia’s Chugg Entertainment. “Even if we prepare for everything, you still can’t really control that.”

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A new punk-centric festival is coming to the Californian city of Pomona, courtesy of AEG-backed promoter Goldenvoice.

Black Flag, Bad Religion, Iggy Pop, Misfits, Social Distortion, Turnstile and Sublime are among the acts set to perform at the event, dubbed No Values.

The one-day event will take place on 8 June at the Pomona Fairplex, across four stages. Tickets go on sale on 23 February, starting at $199 (£157, €183) for general admission, plus fees.

In the US, Goldenvoice produces several festivals, most notably Coachella, as well as operating 14 mid-sized venues and promoting over 1,800 shows per year.

The unveiling of No Values comes amid a surge of new rock and punk-centred festivals. Goldenvoice last year launched a new hard rock festival called Power Trip, at the home of Coachella.

The unveiling of No Values comes amid a surge of new rock and punk-centred festivals

Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, ACDC, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica and Tool performed at the October event at the Empire Polo Club in California.

Live Nation has also launched several new rock festivals in recent years, including Sick New World, When We Were Young, Adjacent and The World is A Vampire – the latter two via subsidiaries C3 Presents and Ocesa respectively.

Elsewhere, Australian promoter Apex Entertainment is capitalising on the genre’s boom with a new touring festival featuring rock and post-punk icons.

Pandemonium Rocks is scheduled to land in Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast this April with performances from the likes of Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Blondie, Gang Of Four and Dead Kennedys.

Read more about new festivals launching in 2024 in this IQ feature, published yesterday (21 February).

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Lights On Festival, an event curated by American R&B singer H.E.R. and promoted by Live Nation Urban, has been called off less than a month before it was supposed to take place.

The festival, scheduled for 16–17 September at the Shoreline Amphitheater in California, was to feature performances from H.E.R. and Friends, Jazmine Sullivan, PartyNextDoor, Don Toliver, Alina Baraz, Tooshi, Smino and more.

Lights On is the latest 2023 festival to be cancelled after 88rising’s 88 Degrees & Rising, Made in America (US), Fest Festival (Poland), Falls Festival (Australia), Rolling Loud (US), Summerburst (Sweden), Hills of Rock (Bulgaria), InMusic (Croatia), Wireless Germany, Hear Hear (Belgium) and Tempelhof Sounds and Tempelhof Sounds Presents (Germany).

“We look forward to returning with an incredible experience in 2024”

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, Lights On Festival will not take place this year,” festival representatives said in a statement released to the San Francisco Chronicle on 22 August. “We sincerely appreciate and value the Lights On Festival community and look forward to returning with an incredible experience in 2024.”

Lights On Festival made its debut in 2019, with the second, and most recent, edition held in 2021. The initial idea for the festival came from Live Nation Urban president Shawn Gee and Jeff Robinson, CEO and founder of MBK Entertainment, the company that manages H.E.R.

Lights On Festival is among a slate of artist-curated festivals including J.Cole’s Dreamville, Tyler the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, Smashing Pumpkins’ The World Is A Vampire, Travis Scott’s Astroworld, Pharrell Williams’ Something In The Water, Jawbreaker’s 1234Fest and Meltdown festival.

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