Country legend Garth Brooks finally rode into the Empire Polo Fields and help set a new attendance record over 75,000 for the Stagecoach Country Music Festival. Despite heat and windy conditions throughout the entire weekend, the final day of the the three day weekend did not disappoint. Playing most of his hit songs, the fans were energetic and didn’t miss a single beat with the man on stage. From Rodeo, Shameless, The Dance, and Friends in Low Places and kicked it up a few notches with Callin’ Baton Rouge. His wife Trisha Yearwood, who performed over a decade ago on the same stage, came out for a few of her hits such as How I Live, She’s in Love with Boy, and X’s & O’s. Lee Brice and Garth Brooks have had a bromance for the past couple years and invited the young country star, who preceded him on stage the same evening, to sing along More Than a Memory. Be sure to scan YouTube for videos to relive this epic performance (not available on DVD or QVC, yet).
One of the other big surprises during the Sunday’s performances was Gordon Lightfoot. The singer and songwriter had a sizable audience that sang along many of his songs, including the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Photography by Christopher Victorio for OC Weekly