Day one of the BattleRock 2021 festival ended Friday (September 3) with a “serendipitous” performance by The Highwomen.
The star-studded country group filled in for country star Chris Stapleton after he announced a battle with a non-COVID-19-related illness hours before he was due on stage.
“It is with a heavy heart that I will be unable to perform tonight at the BattleRock Festival due to a non-COVID related illness,” the “Nothing Else Matters” singer wrote in a statement posted to Instagram.
“We are also grateful to the amazing Highwomen who, on a moment’s notice have agreed to perform in our place."
"THIS IS NOT A DRILL.... we are playing a show tonight" the group wrote on Instagram. "In a serendipitous turn of events, we were asked to headline @ battlerocknapa tonight! We hope our dear friend @ chris stapleton feels better soon!" they added, confirming the performance.
The first of three days of the rock festival kicked off in Napa Valley, California with tens of thousands of music fans pouring in, grateful for the chance to hear some of their favorite artists.
Some artists also expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to take the stage in-person after the pandemic, wildfires and more threatened the music event.
“I’m never going to take for granted again doing this, country star and Highwomen group member Marren Morris told Mercury News. “This is massive. I had forgotten what this was like.”
Multiple genres were represented on stage, with rapper G-Eazy and Polo G blazing the stage and gospel legend Mavis Staples gracing the mic.
A Rare Performance
The Highwomen headlined the first day, stepping in for Chris Staples, who was also stepping in for another star –– Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Stevie Nicks –– who had to cancel in August due to COVID-19 concerns.
The Highwomen’s rare performance was organized on a whim and pulled off with two plane tickets, since two of the group's members, Morris and Brandi Carlile, were already performing at the festival.
Natalie Hemby joined her group mates though Amanda Shires wasn’t able to attend due to emergency surgery recovery, the band disclosed in their performance announcement. Singer-songwriter Brittney Spencer stood in for Shires, sharing details of the last-minute rehearsal on the plane with Hemby.
“I’m singing with my hero’s tonight,” Spencer tweeted. “Rehearsing with @nataliehemby on the plane right now and she sounds like rich honey butter.”
Their performance on Friday (September 3) marked only the second time the country group had played a full-length concert. The group’s historic set included songs from their 2019 self-titled debut album including “Redesigning Women.”
Gun N’ Roses, Miley Cyrus, Run The Jewels, and many more are set to take the stage on Saturday (September 4). The festival will wrap up on Sunday (September 5) with performances by The Foo Fighters, Megan Thee Stallion, Jack Harlow, and more.