The sister duo Tigirlily Gold brought an infectious energy to their early afternoon set, engaging the crowd with a fun collection of songs that should have dominated the charts. Their standout moment included a delightful cover of Leona Lewis’s classic ballad “Bleeding Love.” The highlight of their performance came when singer Kendra Slaughbaugh, frustrated with her setlist fluttering in the wind, dramatically tossed it off the stage, vowing, “I’ll pick it up later.” — ANDREW UNTERBERGER

South Carolina native Nikki Lane captivated the audience as she introduced a new song during her set, teasing, “For the next song, I’m gonna need a male counterpart.” She then invited Drake Milligan, who had just performed on the same stage, to join her. Despite their impromptu collaboration — both admitting they hadn’t rehearsed — their performance of “Wreck It All,” an ’80s-inspired rocker with a catchy riff, charmed the crowd. Milligan sweetly declared, “I heart Nikki Lane,” reflecting the audience’s sentiments as well. — A.U.

With a packed audience at her Friday set, Arizona’s Avery Anna confidently declared, “Every single one of y’all know the words to this song.” While her set featured numerous original songs, she was about to perform a cover of Taylor Swift’s iconic “Love Story.” Sure enough, the crowd erupted in enthusiastic sing-along, as Anna twirled joyfully on stage, reminiscent of leading her very own Fearless World Tour. — A.U.

Rising star Tucker Wetmore delivered a stellar 35-minute performance that had the mid-afternoon crowd clamoring for more. He kicked off with his emotional breakout hit, “Wine into Whiskey,” before transitioning into a medley of covers. His rendition of Gavin DeGraw’s “I Don’t Want to Be” was a standout, followed by an impressive piano cover of “Great Balls of Fire,” reminiscent of the legendary Jerry Lee Lewis. Wetmore wrapped up his set with his popular track “Wind Up Missin’ You,” leading to an engaging singalong, before jokingly addressing his romantic preferences in “Brunette,” a lighthearted song about his dating experiences. We predict Wetmore’s next Stagecoach performance will see him elevated to a prime time slot. — MELINDA NEWMAN

Performing to a captivated audience at the Bud Light Backyard, Alana Springsteen showcased her poignant songwriting skills, making a compelling case for her emotionally charged anthems to be heard in larger outdoor venues next time. Her unreleased ballad “Love Me Anyway” resonated deeply, as she explored themes of unconditional love and acceptance. As she sings, “Would you love me anyway?” the emotional weight of her lyrics left a lasting impact, especially when the final chorus culminated in, “I hope that you still love me anyway.” — A.U.

In an industry often challenging for female artists, Carly Pearce has enjoyed a successful eight-year career as a prominent country hitmaker. When she introduced her tour opener, Carter Faith, as “one of the best female singers I’ve heard since I moved to Nashville,” it underscored her commitment to supporting fellow women in music. Pearce invited Faith on stage to perform her hit “Never Wanted to Be That Girl,” and Faith seamlessly stepped into the role of the duet partner, showcasing her talent in front of an eager crowd. — A.U.

An unforgettable moment occurred during Lana Del Rey’s first-ever Stagecoach performance when she debuted her new song “57.5.” The lyrics reveal that this number corresponds to her monthly Spotify listeners in millions, but the real surprise came when she cheekily referenced a rumored encounter with Morgan Wallen. “I kissed Morgan Wallen. I guess kissing me kind of went to his head,” she quipped, stirring speculation about their relationship. Del Rey’s playful lyrics and enigmatic stage presence left the audience buzzing, further entwining her narrative with that of the evolving country music genre. — A.U.

Three years prior, Zach Bryan performed on the Palomino Stage at Stagecoach to a packed audience. His triumphant return on Friday night saw him headline the Mane Stage, a testament to his meteoric rise in the country music world. He humorously remarked, “I wore the same shirt, I thought it was cute,” before launching into a set filled with fan favorites like “Something in the Orange,” “Overtime,” and “Whiskey Fever.”

Zach also acknowledged the earlier performance by Lana Del Rey, expressing his disbelief at sharing the stage with her, stating, “Never in my life did I think I would be onstage around the same time as Lana Del Rey. She’s the best.” He showcased his versatility by performing his all-time favorite, “Lawyers, Guns and Money,” a classic from Warren Zevon.

In a collaborative spirit, Noeline Hofmann joined him for “Purple Gas,” while Willow Avalon substituted for Kacey Musgraves during “I Remember Everything.” Bryan concluded his electrifying set with a dynamic rendition of “Revival,” involving the audience in a lively exchange of lyrics, showcasing not only his musical talent but also the strong camaraderie among his band members. This performance solidified Bryan’s status as a must-see act at Stagecoach. — JESSICA NICHOLSON