After two years of pandemic-induced cancellations, the country music festival Stagecoach returned to the Empire Polo Club in Indio. So, the Friday opener provided fewer musicians out of the three-day event Stagecoach 2022 had scheduled. But this weekend was full of surprise appearances, like The Beach Boys' Mike Love, Lana Del Rey, Axl Rose.

Formerly, Stagecoach sported two side stages near the "Mane" stage. Not so now, though. Just the Palomino side stage, and a fewer substantially smaller performance spaces, in addition to the central location. Formerly, fans of the more daring side stage artists might recuperate and forth between the two tents. No longer so, however, as time spent out in the "Mane"' hot sun was now necessary.

Tanya Tucker was “cowgirl queen” for the day during her evening set. Her performance was broken up by long, loud audience applause, which moved the veteran entertainer. She sang the hits, including "Strong Enough to Bend," and told stories. Promoted her liquor brand off her tequila line “Cosa Salvaje,” taking a swig straight from the bottle and providing several shots to the crowd. She also wore a black t-shirt emblazoned with the tequila line's name. And even Facetimed with Brandi Carlile, who was set to perform but needed to cancel due to COVID.

In addition to Tucker, The Marcus King Band gave a lively blues performance. Jam-band tendencies provided a Tus Blossoms' lovely harmony also reviewed particularly incredibly. Kiah, who kicked off the celebration at the Palomino, was likely a revelation to many-- although not specifically country-sounding, Kiah, part of Native Children with Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, and Allison Russell, presented a robust and joyous existence.

Early evening during his "Mane" Stage set, singer-songwriter Ryan Hurd missed the two years of the last Stagecoach and revealed his appreciation for becoming part of the occasion. He also flaunted his successes as both a songwriter and artist. Hurd has written hit tunes for artists including Blake Shelton and Woman A, and during his set, he provided a version of the Hurd-written "Waves," which became a hit for Luke Bryan. His relaxed manner was perfectly suitable for the early night Stagecoach crowd. Next, he used up "To a T." Next, his other half and fellow singer-songtext sis Morris signed up with Hurd for a breezy, sultry performance of their Hot 100 hit "Chasing After You." "Well, this does not suck," Morris quipped, before staying for Hurd's closing song, "Pass It On," an upbeat anthem that offered a natural singalong minute for the crowd.

Jordan Davis launched his "Mane" Stage set with his Country Airplay chart-topper "Singles You Up" before informing the crowd, "It's great to be back in California!" "This has to do with four years in the making for me ... I've had this date circled on my calendar for a very long time," he said, taking advantage of the massive stage while he cruised through tunes such as "Consume Had Me" and "Lose You." He likewise offered a sizzling cover of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' "Mary Jane's Last Dance."

Over at the smaller-sized Palomino Stage, Marcus King Band performed with all the swagger and raw skill of an act deserving of the bigger stage. The crowd was nearly total and genuine in its reaction to the gritty vocals of diva King and the band's heady mix of blues, blistering rock, and bright horns. The crowd was exceptionally responsive to "One Day She's Here," and the ballad "Gorgeous Stranger" before the band amped things back up for a scorching shot of southern rock and a brand-new tune called "Excellent and Gone."

Midland's brand name of retro-progressive music, which often includes sounds of '70s California country, was best suitable for the "Mane" Stage as the sun started to set and the crowds turned out in earnest. They began the set with "Play Boys" and soon had the masses all over dancing with the barroom-ready "Mr. Lonely." Significantly, the trio's smooth consistency blend sounded as good live as it does on their record. Afterward, the hazy, languid melody of "Burn Out" wafted on the Indio breeze, and they followed with "Sunrise Informs the Story "And "Cheatin' Songs" before providing a cover of "Drivin' My Life Away" and Garth Brooks' "Much Too Young to Feel This Damn Old." They likewise offered fans a taste of new music from their upcoming album, Last option: Greetings From, as they invited native Californian Jon Pardifor to the track "Longneck Method to Go."

Back at the "Mane" Stage, Morris drew heavily from her recently released album, Modest Mission, during her set, providing "I Can't Love You Anymore," "Circles Around This Town," and "Anxious." Tucked among the new songs were fan favorites "I Could Utilize a Love Tune," "Girl," "All My Favorite Individuals," and "'80s Mercedes." The festivalgoers danced to every tune as Morris's effective, crystalline sounded out over the enormous gathering of music fans. "It smells like pot," she commented throughout one piece, later adding the observation, "This is day one, and there are no insane sunburns yet. Wait 'til day 3." She later presented "my morbid love tune" before introducing another track from Humble Mission, "Background Music." Lastly, she completed the set with more from her string of hits, including the 2018 pop smash "The Middle," her emotional nation breakthrough "My Church."

Thomas Rhett has previously played Stagecoach slots opening for Kenny Chesney (in 2017) and Eric Church (2014 ). Still, he called his "Mane" Stage headlining set a "Bucket List Moments." He took full advantage of that minute as a blaze of technicolor traffic signals signaled the start of his show. Rhett opened with "Yearning You," his 2017 struck with Morris, though Morris did not join him on the tune. "Where all the country women at tonight?" he yelled, and as the crowd action swelled, it seemed most of the country women were right there at Stagecoach. From there, he cruised through "Life Changes," "Decrease Summertime," "Get Me Some of That," and "Marry Me." Pardi made his 2nd look on the "Mane" Stage that night, joining Rhett for their collaboration "Beer Can't Fix," dancing throughout the stage and accelerating the massive crowd.

After that, the pace slowed a little for the sweet track "Mother's Front Door" from Rhett's recent album, Where We Began. However, Pardi wasn't the only surprise Rhett had for the crowd. Several artists throughout the day offered cover songs throughout their sets, and the night's headliner was no exception, as he launched into the 2nd Garth Brooks cover fans heard on Friday, with "Buddies in Low Places." The crowd's cheers reached peak levels when HARDY and star Ashton Kutcher signed up with him to assist him with the traditional nation singalong. He followed with "Pass away a Delighted Man," "Memorable," and "What's Your Country Song? with his set concluding as fireworks lit up the late evening sky over the desert.