LOS ANGELES — Country music waxes and wanes in its influence on the broader industry, but this year, it's been absolutely dominant.

For instance: Morgan Wallen topping streaming charts, Beyoncé's landmark "Cowboy Carter," Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman's tearjerker Grammys set — and that barely scratches the surface.

Since debuting in 2007, Stagecoach — Goldenvoice's "Country Coachella" — has been ahead of the curve with an omnivorous, welcoming definition of the genre. That philosophy, from longtime booker and vice president of festival talent Stacy Vee, is in full flower on the pop and country charts.

This year's fest (which sold out, while the two-weekend Coachella did not) is headlined by Wallen, Eric Church and Miranda Lambert, with a country-covers set by Post Malone and buzzy acts like Jelly Roll, Megan Moroney and Bailey Zimmerman.

We talked to Vee about the fest's role in this red-hot country moment, how Black and Mexican traditions are shaping the genre's future, and if anyone's nervous about Wallen playing just weeks after his high-profile arrest.

Q: Country music's obviously having an incredibly successful and influential moment. How would you situate its power within the music industry right now?

A: Obviously it's ushering in so many new fans, but also new voices. People who never thought they'd make a country record are making a country record. New people are giving Nashville a chance, and in Nashville, people are giving other things a chance. A lot of artists are embracing it and putting their own interpretation on it. That's something I've been intentionally focused on with Stagecoach, giving it its own identity, a California sound and my own interpretation of what country music is.

Q: What role do you feel like Stagecoach has had in building to this moment?

A: I'd love to think that we've been a pioneer in ushering in new voices. I really rolled the dice booking Diplo for the first time. I didn't know what Stagecoach fans would think of something like that, but he was just wildly embraced. And in 2022, I booked Nelly, and I'm like, what are people gonna think about this? But look at Stagecoach in the very early years. It was mostly Americana and pioneers in the alternative country space. We really do approach Stagecoach with a Coachella brain. People are really excited about the things they don't ask for. It's really encouraging, and I think that country music fans are much more open minded than maybe they get credit for.

Q: There is a certain evil genius in booking Nickelback this year.

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