Stagecoach evacuates after high winds
- Stagecoach briefly evacuated the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Saturday night after high winds hit the festival, then reopened about an hour later. - The shutdown came just before 8 p.m., delayed Lainey Wilson’s headlining set, and knocked Riley Green and Journey off Saturday’s lineup. - The festival still finished Sunday with Post Malone after a wind advisory warned of gusts up to 50 mph. (kesq.com)
Stagecoach halted Saturday night in Indio after high winds forced a temporary evacuation of the Empire Polo Club. (nbcpalmsprings.com) Just before 8 p.m. on April 25, festival screens told fans the show had been postponed and instructed them to move quickly and calmly to the nearest exit. The Stagecoach app told attendees to seek shelter in vehicles or protected areas. (nbcpalmsprings.com) The evacuation lasted about an hour. NBC Palm Springs reported a resume alert at 8:42 p.m. and reopened gates by about 9 p.m. (nbcpalmsprings.com) The disruption reshaped Saturday’s bill. Lainey Wilson started about an hour late, while Riley Green and Journey were removed from the lineup entirely, according to NBC Palm Springs and The Desert Sun. (nbcpalmsprings.com) (desertsun.com) Weather was the trigger, not a security incident. A National Weather Service wind advisory for the Coachella Valley warned of west winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 miles per hour, and isolated gusts to 65 through the passes. (kesq.com) USA Today reported Indio saw gusts above 40 miles per hour Saturday night, and National Weather Service meteorologist Paul Steward said other parts of the Coachella Valley reached 50 miles per hour. (usatoday.com) The festival still finished its three-day run on Sunday, April 26. Headliners were Cody Johnson on Friday, Lainey Wilson on Saturday and Post Malone on Sunday. (nbcpalmsprings.com) (billboard.com) Billboard said more than 100 artists played across seven stages, including the new Mustang Stage presented by Boot Barn, despite the interruption. (billboard.com) The evacuation also raised practical questions for fans who missed canceled sets. The Desert Sun reported festivalgoers were asking what caused the shutdown and whether refunds would be offered after Riley Green and Journey were cut. (desertsun.com) By Sunday night, Stagecoach had returned to its usual shape: a packed desert country festival closing with Post Malone on the Mane Stage after a weather stop that lasted one hour, not the weekend. (nbcpalmsprings.com) (billboard.com)
