Stagecoach 2024 first look: Festival opens with new area for the Compton Cowboys, Guy Fieri

Giddy up, country music fans. This is your Super Bowl — the 2024 Stagecoach country music festival has officially begun.

This year, the festival layout is remniscent of the 2022 layout, with the Mane Stage back to its old position in the back of the festival grounds facing guests as they trickle in (for those who have attended Coachella, picture where the Indio Central Market is).

Read on to learn what else is new at Stagecoach 2024.

No Nikki Lane's Stage Stop Marketplace at Stagecoach this year

One big change to the festival grounds this year is the elimination of Nikki Lane's Stage Stop Marketplace, which was previously housed to the right of the Ferris wheel as guests entered the grounds (near the huge cowboy boot sculpture).

In previous years, Nikki Lane's area was known as a shopping hub where you could purchase everything from an American flag string bikini to a vintage Stetson hat. It also housed the Horseshoe Stage, where emerging artists got a chance to play to a more intimate crowd than the festival's others stages. Coachella 2024 headliner Lana Del Rey even appeared for a surprise set with Nikki Lane herself on the Horseshoe Stage in 2022.

— Niki Kottmann

Compton Cowboys get their own Stagecoach area

Without Nikki Lane's Stage Stop Marketplace, we wondered where festivalgoers could find a one-stop-shop to buy hats, boots, clothing and more. However, there's no reason to fret, because the Compton Cowboys' new area, near the Palomino tent, includes a number of vendors selling similar items and more in the flea market — anyone in the mood for some cowhide purses or swimsuits?

Of course, the Compton Cowboys have once again brought a number of their horses back to the festival. Beware, these boys and girls will be sniffing your foods and drinks, but visitors are asked to not feed them. But you can pet them all you please.

— Ema Sasic

'Yellowstone' fun is back at Stagecoach

Fans of the Western drama "Yellowstone" can step inside Dutton Ranch and immerse themselves in the Kevin Costner-led show once again this year.

Inside the tented area is a lounge for festivalgoers to relax, kick their feet up and enjoy cocktails, beer and wine. A few photo ops are also available, both in front of the "Yellowstone Dutton Ranch" sign and the home's exterior.

This year, you can take a souvenir home with you by getting a handkerchief embroidered for free. If you'd like to purchase something unique, there is also special Stagecoach-themed "Yellowstone" merch available.

− Ema Sasic

Guy's Smokehouse is now near the Stagecoach Craft Beer Barn, and there's ... no BBQ vendors?

One important-to-note relocation this year at Stagecoach is Guy's Smokehouse, where Guy Fieri and his famous friends do cooking demonstrations. It's now centrally located on the grounds right next to the Craft Beer Barn. The first demonstration on Friday wasn't until 3 p.m. but a big rack of full chickens was seen slowly roasting as early as 1 p.m. and Fieri was already walking the grounds.

I worry the new location is too small for the large crowds that usually love to sneak a peak of their favorite artists interacting with the Mayor of Flavortown (he's running unopposed this election cycle) but we'll see if it works out better than it is in my mind's eye.

We also noticed that unlike the past couple years, the Smokehouse doesn't feature BBQ vendors. We were bummed that the smell of roasting meat is in the air yet ... there's nothing available for purchase over there.

— Shad Powers

The Rhinestone Saloon is where Stagecoach's other half reside

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to those willing to mosey on down to Stagecoach in style with $799 or more to spend, The Rhinestone Saloon is highfalutin.The expanded area to the left of the Mane Stage features the Saloon bar serving beer and cocktails, another shaded bar area, separate restrooms, food and drink vendors, a merchandise booth and more.The Corral Saloon, a separate area to the right of the Mane Stage is similar to the Rhinestone Saloon but with access to the Corral seating and standing areas in front of the stage for $949 to $1,999.

— Brian Blueskye

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Stagecoach: Festival opens with new area for Compton Cowboys, Guy Fieri