Stagecoach 2025: 12 Must-See Acts

For fans of artists who deftly blend country, blues and soul, Alabama native Culpepper will be an essential performer to see during Stagecoach. His songs such as “After Me?” and “Who Hurt You” pair his gravelly voice with his compelling songwriting. This musician and Navy veteran’s journey from military life to performing on massive country stages has also included time opening for artists including Charles Wesley Godwin and Charley Crockett. He made his Grand Ole Opry debut earlier this year, and he’ll open shows for Leon Bridges this summer. – JESSICA NICHOLSON

Carter Faith makes her Stagecoach debut performance this year, and judging from the slate of top-notch songs she’s released — all of which highlight her witty songwriting and ethereal voice — her debut set will be one to watch. She’s previously teamed with Sam Williams on the stellar duet of “’Til I Can Make It On My Own,” and issued her five-song, UMG Nashville EP The Aftermath last year. Beyond her inaugural Stagecoach set, she’ll join Little Big Town on tour this summer, and has been on the road with Ella Langley, as well as opening shows for Carly Pearce. – J.N.

Don’t bother trying to box in guitarist/fiddler Ferrell, who fearlessly slips and slides between genres, while bringing an astonishing musical dexterity to whatever she tackles. The West Virginia native’s supple, distinctive voice is as compelling as her musicianship on such songs as the languid, wistful “American Dreaming.” Her stage fits, including flower crowns and colorful dresses, are often as unconventional as her personality and her music. – MELINDA NEWMAN

If the word of Stagecoach Friday headliner Zach Bryan means anything to you, you should certainly make a point of checking out Noeline Hofmann, who Bryan became such a fan of, he not only invited her to perform her “Purple Gas” on his Belting Bronco YouTube performance series, he covered the song on his The Great American Bar Scene album — and invited Hofmann to sing on his version. The Alberta, Canada singer-songwriter will likely bring that song to her own Stagecoach set earlier that day, as well as newer singles like the sauntering seasons-change ballad “August.” — ANDREW UNTERBERGER

In the vein of past Stagecoach performers like The Beach Boys and Bryan Adams comes Tommy James and the Shondells — an act with few if any obvious country connections, but with a catalog of enduring hits that should still bring a smile to the face of music fans of any stripe. Among those hits: psychedelic-era smashes like the lusty “Crimson & Clover” and the idealistic “Crystal Blue Persuasion,” and bubblegummier early mid-’60s confections like “I Think We’re Alone Now” and “Mony Mony,” the latter two of which also went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in back-to-back weeks in 1987, via respective covers from Tiffany and Billy Idol. – A.U.

In his first headlining slot at Stagecoach, Jelly Roll will be sure to show what has made him a superstar in a few short years. With the fervor of a southern minister leading a tent revival, Jelly Roll roams the stage with an evangelical zeal as he musically tackles questions of faith, addiction, love and self-worth in a show that feels like a unifying, communal, healing ritual. His brand of country incorporates rap and rock for a unique blend that no other artist offers. – M.N.

For nearly a decade, trio Midland has been regaling fans with their neo-traditional sound, rich harmonies, honky tonk flair and deep-seated acumen for classic country songcraft. Songs like “Drinkin’ Problem,” “Mr. Lonely,” and “Cheatin’ Songs” draw on a range of styles from ‘70s through ‘90s country — and fused with their own modern soundscape, have brought in cross-section of music fans, ranging from retro country devotees to high-brow music acolytes. Their latest album, the Dave Cobb-produced Barely Blue, which they recorded at his studio in Georgia, continues adding to their catalog of progressive-meets-retro songs. — J.N.

Few singer-songwriters in any genre have done as much to capture all the nuanced complications of adult love stories in recent years than Carly Pearce — more of the lows than the highs this decade, particularly following her 2020 divorce from fellow country hitmaker Michael Ray. But while her subject matter is often heavy, her songs have still proven buoyant enough for radio, with top 10 Country Airplay hits like “What He Didn’t Do,” “We Don’t Fight Anymore” (with Chris Stapleton) and “Never Wanted to Be That Girl” (with Ashley McBryde) making Pearce one of the all-too-few women country artists holding down a consistent spot on the airwaves.  – A.U.

The Balkcom sister trio of Eleanor, Lily and Powell has been recording for Warner Music Nashville the last few years under the name The Castellows, taken from their grandmother’s maiden name. Releases like 2024’s A Little Goes a Long Way see the trio mixing country-folk with hints of rock, Americana and even a little bluegrass on smartly penned, sweetly harmonized highlights like the Swiftian “The Part Where You Break My Heart,” and the romantic stomper “I Know It’ll Never End,” the latter of which earned the group its first CMT Award nomination. – A.U.

This five-piece group from Odessa, Texas has made a name for itself on the strength of freewheeling, energetic live shows, and rock-embedded songs such as “Boomtown,” which was featured in the series premiere of the hit Paramount+ drama Landman. Its 2023 album Have a Nice Day landed on the all-genre Billboard 200, while 2024 single “Happy Face” rose on both the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and Hot Country Songs charts. These road warriors have honed a tightly-woven sound and just released the new track “Bad State of Mind.” They are nominated for new duo or group of the year at the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards and are spearheading the first leg of their 2025 tour. — J.N.

One of country music’s brightest new stars, Wetmore went viral last year with “Wine Into Whiskey” and its blend of 808 beats, traditional country twang and deep regret. Follow-up “Wind Up Missin’ You” took a more optimistic, upbeat turn, but both showed that the Washington native took his country side seriously. After opening for like-minded artists Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, Wetmore is now winning over audiences with his charismatic, confident performances on his headlining theater tour. — M.N.

Wetzel ended the year in a star-making turn with his five-week No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, “High Road,” with Jessie Murph. He joined her at Coachella’s first weekend for the hit, so maybe she’ll return the favor. But even if not, fans are sure to get a serving of Wetzel’s gritty brand of country rock that draws on his Texas roots with a healthy dose of outlaw swagger on such songs as crowd favorite “February 28, 2016,” “Cabo” and “Sweet Dreams.” Wetzel’s lyrics often take the listener down a dark path, but he’s always there for the ride. – M.N.