Stagecoach bolsters lineup

Stagecoach, as the country cousin of the huge Coachella rock franchise is now named, will saddle up for the first time in early May with a lineup that is even deeper than previously announced: Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, Gary Allan and Neko Case have been added to the bill.

Those acts will join George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams, Ricky Scaggs, Sugarland, Nickel Creek and others at the May 5 and 6 festival at the Empire Polo Field in Indio.

Stagecoach, organized by Goldenvoice, will be the weekend after the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, the three-day rock and electronic event at the same site.

There will be four stages, 50 acts and plenty of variety, with bluegrass, “outlaw” music, L.A. alt-country acts, cowboy poetry, exhibits of western heritage, etc. Among the acts: the Flatlanders, Sara Evans, Raul Malo, Earl Scruggs, Garrison Keillor, Jason Aldean, Robert Earl Keen, Chris Hillman, Alejandro Escovedo, Marty Stuart, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and David Serby.

Tickets go on sale Jan. 20 via Ticketmaster. RV parking and camping will be available. Tickets are expected to be about $85 per day.