Story perspectives

High Winds Evacuate Stagecoach Festival, Resumes After Hour

4/26/2026

Summary

Stagecoach Evacuates

High winds of 25-35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph forced the Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio, California, to evacuate on Saturday, April 25, 2026 after 8 p.m. PT screens announced the postponement.
The evacuation lasted about one hour, after which the site reopened near 9 p.m. PT following safety checks.
The festival rescheduled Lainey Wilson’s set for 10:30 p.m., cancelled Journey and Riley Green, delayed Gavin Adcock and Pitbull, and posted a revised schedule.

Summary

Festival Evacuates

Festival posted “We’re back in the saddle” on Instagram, sparking relief and criticism.
Attendees complained on Instagram and X about unclear shuttle instructions and being barred from re-entering after evacuation.
Jessica Nicholson reported the Palomino Stage shut down mid-set with on-screen warnings “Stage Area Closed, please keep away.”
Security video showed staff directing a calm crowd exit and guiding many to shuttle buses despite high wind.

History

Historical Context

In 1997 severe rain turned Glastonbury into a mud-filled site, prompting Michael Eavis and the BBC to adopt stricter weather-response rules. The following year the festival recorded over 100,000 attendees, underscoring its scale. Those protocols guided the April 25 2026 Stagecoach Country Music Festival evacuation when 25-35 mph gusts threatened stages, showing how past mud-and-storm crises have shaped modern festival safety.

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Stagecoach Evacuates

High winds of 25-35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph forced the Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio, California, to evacuate on Saturday, April 25, 2026 after 8 p.m. PT screens announced the postponement.
The evacuation lasted about one hour, after which the site reopened near 9 p.m. PT following safety checks.
The festival rescheduled Lainey Wilson’s set for 10:30 p.m., cancelled Journey and Riley Green, delayed Gavin Adcock and Pitbull, and posted a revised schedule.

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