Grade Stagecoach

[KWsDaddy]

What a great weekend! With the exception of a hiccup getting into El Dorado 2 on Friday night, the festival was a lot of fun. (After waiting a few hours for the registration folks who never showed up on Friday night, we just drove in and parked ourselves. Probably didn't even need a camping pass at all).

I'm just an average working Joe with GA tickets and a family. So… my quick observations:

First, the music line-up was eclectic and good. Sure, there were a couple of little nits, but it was live - so…..

While the organizers mixed it up a bit in terms of type of Music, I personally would have enjoyed some Southern Rock. Maybe Lynyrd Skynyrd or Molly Hatchet?

We pretty much stayed at the Main Stage, and were not disappointed.

The camping logistics were average, and more importantly the neighbors were nice folks and the atmosphere incredible. This was big because our 3 year old daughter was with us. The energy all night long was festive - folks partying until the morning and having a great time!

The portable showers were a good idea, clean, and about what you'd expect. I appreciated not having to worry about using my onboard water, and accumulating the grey water after the fact.

Liked the coffee booth at ED2. The little one woke up at 6:00 because she was so excited - so being able to walk over to get some quick coffee was cool. Also, truth in advertising: The sign said that they opened at "6ish." I'm not a coffee connoisseur, so can't really say anything about the quality. It was caffeine…early in the morning.

The concessions we're pretty good, too. Lot of things we don't need were available for purchase. Unfortunately, I didn't get to taste any of the BBQ Cook-off, but heard it was tasty. The other food I had was, well, fair food. Had a pulled pork and potato salad plate - probably should have selected something else.

With a little more effort, I think the organizers could have beefed up the kids' area to make it even more fun for them.

Music = B+
Food = C
Other Concessions = B
Camping Facilities = C+
Overall "fun" Atmosphere = A
Event Staff = A (didn't really interact with them, so they stayed in the background - a good thing).
Concert Goers = A
Stuff for kids to do = C

All-in-all, I give Stagecoach 2008 a respectable "B."

There were things to complain about and dwell on, but I focused on the good stuff and we had a great time. We just went with the flow and as a result had a lot of fun.

Would I go again? You bet.

[horsephotographer]

What a great weekend! With the exception of a hiccup getting into El Dorado 2 on Friday night, the festival was a lot of fun. (After waiting a few hours for the registration folks who never showed up on Friday night, we just drove in and parked ourselves. Probably didn't even need a camping pass at all).

I'm just an average working Joe with GA tickets and a family. So… my quick observations:

First, the music line-up was eclectic and good. Sure, there were a couple of little nits, but it was live - so…..

While the organizers mixed it up a bit in terms of type of Music, I personally would have enjoyed some Southern Rock. Maybe Lynyrd Skynyrd or Molly Hatchet?

We pretty much stayed at the Main Stage, and were not disappointed.

The camping logistics were average, and more importantly the neighbors were nice folks and the atmosphere incredible. This was big because our 3 year old daughter was with us. The energy all night long was festive - folks partying until the morning and having a great time!

The portable showers were a good idea, clean, and about what you'd expect. I appreciated not having to worry about using my onboard water, and accumulating the grey water after the fact.

Liked the coffee booth at ED2. The little one woke up at 6:00 because she was so excited - so being able to walk over to get some quick coffee was cool. Also, truth in advertising: The sign said that they opened at "6ish." I'm not a coffee connoisseur, so can't really say anything about the quality. It was caffeine…early in the morning.

The concessions we're pretty good, too. Lot of things we don't need were available for purchase. Unfortunately, I didn't get to taste any of the BBQ Cook-off, but heard it was tasty. The other food I had was, well, fair food. Had a pulled pork and potato salad plate - probably should have selected something else.

With a little more effort, I think the organizers could have beefed up the kids' area to make it even more fun for them.

Music = B+
Food = C
Other Concessions = B
Camping Facilities = C+
Overall "fun" Atmosphere = A
Event Staff = A (didn't really interact with them, so they stayed in the background - a good thing).
Concert Goers = A
Stuff for kids to do = C

All-in-all, I give Stagecoach 2008 a respectable "B."

There were things to complain about and dwell on, but I focused on the good stuff and we had a great time. We just went with the flow and as a result had a lot of fun.

Would I go again? You bet.

Sooo glad you had a great time....
I think I never got a chance to see anything 2nd year in a row...
I gotta put the camera away and have fun...
B grade

[koalababy]

okkkkkkkkk - I had the most wonderful of times again this year........thought friday and sunday had the best of the concertgoers - as I found several veryyyyy rude people on saturday - little too much alcohol maybe??????? LOL Thought the vendors did a bang up job - I bought a few nice thingsssss~smile~. The sound needs to be tweaked a bit next year - friday seemed better then sat/sun but overall it was awesomeeeeee so little complaint there. Believe they need a bit better staffing at the restrooms - most of the time no toilet tissue or toilet seat covers (okkkkk!!). Thought the food was decent if not a bit over priced, however, do understand the logistics and all ~smile~. If Budweiser is gonna be the only alcohol vendor I suggest they lower prices a tad - they can afford it - and I do believe alcohol sales should be cut off a bit earlier - lots of people were driving after ~smile~

Overall, I can't wait for next year.........................and the great crowds and great acts and just the fun of being there - wooooohooooooooo!!!

Thank you Stagecoach.............................and I'd also like to thank Indio for allowing this to happen - their people and police officers and fire department were tremendous........friendlyyyyyyyyy staff at the show - let alone dang girls did you see how good looking a lot of those guys are ~smile~!!!!!

[horsephotographer]

okkkkkkkkk - I had the most wonderful of times again this year........thought friday and sunday had the best of the concertgoers - as I found several veryyyyy rude people on saturday - little too much alcohol maybe??????? LOL Thought the vendors did a bang up job - I bought a few nice thingsssss~smile~. The sound needs to be tweaked a bit next year - friday seemed better then sat/sun but overall it was awesomeeeeee so little complaint there. Believe they need a bit better staffing at the restrooms - most of the time no toilet tissue or toilet seat covers (okkkkk!!). Thought the food was decent if not a bit over priced, however, do understand the logistics and all ~smile~. If Budweiser is gonna be the only alcohol vendor I suggest they lower prices a tad - they can afford it - and I do believe alcohol sales should be cut off a bit earlier - lots of people were driving after ~smile~

Overall, I can't wait for next year.........................and the great crowds and great acts and just the fun of being there - wooooohooooooooo!!!

Thank you Stagecoach.............................and I'd also like to thank Indio for allowing this to happen - their people and police officers and fire department were tremendous........friendlyyyyyyyyy staff at the show - let alone dang girls did you see how good looking a lot of those guys are ~smile~!!!!!

Yes..
Wait till my new photos are up....
I agree with ya..
The best country event in the nation...
Thank you StageCoach and all of you artist that made it possible....
As for the alcohol I'm sure they were sober by the time they walked back...
maybe that was a good strategy after all....

[Cooter]

i have decided: coachella is for me, stagecoach is for my family. there is no way i would bring my 2 year old daughter to coachella due to the amount of people there and the fact that the bands i want to see play well into the night, but stagecoach is perfect--the personalities of some of the attendee's are pretty much the same, though, some complete trash. we spent most of our time at the palomino hanging out backstage where my daughter could run around and dance, clap, and play to her hearts content. she was cracking people up the entire time with how goofy she is, even the photogs were walking by and snapping a few pics, haha, have to see where the pics show up! we showed up around 4 every day and were back at our friends' house by 10 or so, all completely worn out. didn't catch too many of the acts over the weekend, but did see/hear: nitty gritty dirt band, mike ness, john fogerty, couple songs from the bald eagles, cross canadian ragweed, dwight, and a few others. being that i don't really listen to country in my "real" life, a fun time was still had by all of us...brought the bother/sister in law and their 2 kids and about 12 other acquaintances/friends along for the ride! almost had to beat a couple kids in the haybale maze at one point...little shits were running and jumping over the bales and a couple nearly landed right on my kid. if that had happened i may still be in indio right now trying to arrange bail, these kids were out of control! they had "mane stage" bands on, oh how i wanted to march them by the ear back there and find out who their parents were...

and a big "shut the f**k up" to the trashy older lady screaming f-bombs into her phone as we walked by with my daughter, niece and nephew...hope you did mind me screaming in your face to watch your mouth around my family.

i must say, though, that an amazing thing about coachella is the attendee's. this year people came from all 50 states, all over europe, japan, australia, canada, mexico, south america, etc. that is one thing stagecoach will never be able to compare to. i missed that camaraderie of sharing something so universal that we did not need to all speak the same language, a shared smile said it all.

[horsephotographer]

i have decided: coachella is for me, stagecoach is for my family. there is no way i would bring my 2 year old daughter to coachella due to the amount of people there and the fact that the bands i want to see play well into the night, but stagecoach is perfect--the personalities of some of the attendee's are pretty much the same, though, some complete trash. we spent most of our time at the palomino hanging out backstage where my daughter could run around and dance, clap, and play to her hearts content. she was cracking people up the entire time with how goofy she is, even the photogs were walking by and snapping a few pics, haha, have to see where the pics show up! we showed up around 4 every day and were back at our friends' house by 10 or so, all completely worn out. didn't catch too many of the acts over the weekend, but did see/hear: nitty gritty dirt band, mike ness, john fogerty, couple songs from the bald eagles, cross canadian ragweed, dwight, and a few others. being that i don't really listen to country in my "real" life, a fun time was still had by all of us...brought the bother/sister in law and their 2 kids and about 12 other acquaintances/friends along for the ride! almost had to beat a couple kids in the haybale maze at one point...little shits were running and jumping over the bales and a couple nearly landed right on my kid. if that had happened i may still be in indio right now trying to arrange bail, these kids were out of control! they had "mane stage" bands on, oh how i wanted to march them by the ear back there and find out who their parents were...

and a big "shut the f**k up" to the trashy older lady screaming f-bombs into her phone as we walked by with my daughter, niece and nephew...hope you did mind me screaming in your face to watch your mouth around my family.

Good for you cooter..
Sounds like a great time and lots of great memories for you and your beautiful family....

[LadiesLoveCountryBoys]

Horse...do you have a website for your photos...

[horsephotographer]

Horse...do you have a website for your photos...

Yes..
PM me and I'll give it to you..
Although having fun on here is slowing the photo work down...

[misyg1]

On a scale of 1 - 10. Last year was a 10, this year, maybe a 3. The promoters aren't learning from their mistakes. They're just getting greedy.
We wanted to go this year because last year was great. No next year.

[sunkisses]

As far as the music goes, this year was a 5....last year was a 10. The food was great, you couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather and surroundings. Made me happy to be alive. Hopefully they'll choose their acts more carefully next year.

[horsephotographer]

On a scale of 1 - 10. Last year was a 10, this year, maybe a 3. The promoters aren't learning from their mistakes. They're just getting greedy.
We wanted to go this year because last year was great. No next year.

To each is own but more room for us...
Did I say that?
I must be getting punchy from working photos....

[horsephotographer]

As far as the music goes, this year was a 5....last year was a 10. The food was great, you couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather and surroundings. Made me happy to be alive. Hopefully they'll choose their acts more carefully next year.

Come on now...
Are ya losing it..
This years line up was amazing...
Tell me where in the world could ya go in SC to see this....
Of course if they would have had the same line-up then ya all would complain it was the same...
Ok now I know I'm getting punchy..
Just tell me to keep my opion to my self

[sunkisses]

It's ok horse...I still like you and I really did have a good time. That Shelby lady really irked me and started me off on a bad foot. No one was awful...Tim just wasn't as good as usual. Rascal Flatts and The Judds were wonderful. I may be punchy too thus the above review...I'm am super tired today!

[horsephotographer]

It's ok horse...I still like you and I really did have a good time. That Shelby lady really irked me and started me off on a bad foot. No one was awful...Tim just wasn't as good as usual. Rascal Flatts and The Judds were wonderful. I may be punchy too thus the above review...I'm am super tired today!

I know how ya feel my friend....
Great to hear the positive so much negetive in life always look to the light...

[terisfriend]

I have to say last year was much better.What was up with Tim McGraw? $400tickets to see him and he comes out appearing completely stoned and forgets the words? Are you kidding me? I'm done with him.
Im a Trace Adkins fan now, he was fun.
Jack Ingram was hot, they should have put him on the Mane stage instead of Palamino.
They should reduce the VIP section down to last years size, it was nicer smaller, did not much help to be a VIP when the bathrooms were more crowded than GA. Also they had bathrooms inside VIP last year, that was much better!!! It almost made the extra ticket price worth it not having to run back through thousands of people to go.

We sure had a great time people watching.

[horsephotographer]

I have to say last year was much better.What was up with Tim McGraw? $400tickets to see him and he comes out appearing completely stoned and forgets the words? Are you kidding me? I'm done with him.
Im a Trace Adkins fan now, he was fun.
Jack Ingram was hot, they should have put him on the Mane stage instead of Palamino.
They should reduce the VIP section down to last years size, it was nicer smaller, did not much help to be a VIP when the bathrooms were more crowded than GA. Also they had bathrooms inside VIP last year, that was much better!!! It almost made the extra ticket price worth it not having to run back through thousands of people to go.

We sure had a great time people watching.

You have a valid point on the crazy bathrooms being moved ...
I also have many new favorites after this venue..
I'll keep my mouth shut on the rest....
I'm too punchy today...
Yea there was a few that no way should have been on main stage.My lip is seeled....

[mailmama]

Last year much better lineup,but this year wasn't bad. The one totally offensive thing I found both years , "Why do you let venders sell confederate symbols on anything"? Do you really think you're setting good examples of peace? I was offended and will address each of these venders individually. Peace through music is a beautiful thing , why spoil it. I didn't purchase anything from those venders who think that its worth "the buck", to promote hatred.

[Cooter]

I have to say last year was much better.What was up with Tim McGraw? $400tickets to see him and he comes out appearing completely stoned and forgets the words?

actually, it was $400 for dozens of bands, but if you spent that much for one performer then that's kinda silly. this is a 3 day event people! it is so sad to see so many people just plop down in their lawn chairs and never even think of exploring the grounds and checking out what else is going on. if you went to this thing to see one act perform then you don't deserve to bitch about anything because you were never in the spirit of the event.

[Rose]

actually, it was $400 for dozens of bands, but if you spent that much for one performer then that's kinda silly. this is a 3 day event people! it is so sad to see so many people just plop down in their lawn chairs and never even think of exploring the grounds and checking out what else is going on. if you went to this thing to see one act perform then you don't deserve to bitch about anything because you were never in the spirit of the event.

I gotta agree with you Cooter. I probably walked 15 miles each day (Friday and Saturday) trying to see everything possible and then I died on Sunday. It was so worth it though. I sure do wish I was young and could have done that all three days non-stop

My only bitch is that I feel like somebody beat the living sh!t out of me. I will recover and be back for next year! I am proud to say that I SAW EVERYTHING and EVERY SQUARE INCH of the FESTIVAL.

[sunkisses]

I agree with you on every point, Rose. Today, I'm exhausted and a little bit sore with the worst, biggest blister ever on the top of my foot!