Here we go again…
The past few years have been nothing short of a comeback story for country music. Experiencing the most commercial and critical success in history, we’ve seen the indie/alternative scene explode thanks to the likes of Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson and more, some of the greatest bands, such as The Red Clay Strays, Turnpike Troubadours and Flatland Cavalry garner national attention and traditional acts such as Zach Top and Ella Langley dominate the mainstream.
As it is with seemingly everything, however, nature has to balance itself. This, unfortunately, came with the inevitable return of the kings of “bro country,” Florida Georgia Line, who are seemingly set to headline Stagecoach next year.
It should go without saying at this point that FGL was once one of the most successful duos in the history of the genre, scoring nothing short of era-defining hits in the 2010s with the likes of the diamond-certified “Cruise,” along with other smashes such as “This Is How We Roll,” “Stay” and the Bebe Rexha collaboration, “Meant to Be.”
Of course, Florida Georgia Line remain as the poster boys for “bro country,” the era in the 2010s which was defined by the most shallow lyrics known to man, Nickelback-lite production and ultimately a whole lot of clichés that the genre still gets flack for such as heavy emphasis on drinking, tan legs swinging off of pickup truck beds and pretty much anything you associate with the worst country music has to offer.
After what felt like months of speculation, rumors and both Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard teasing a potential reunion after their nasty split thanks to their first performance in four years together back in April at Country Radio Seminar, they made their “grand” return on night one of CMA Fest in Nashville back in June with a surprise two-song set.
@whiskeyriff #whiskeyriff #cmafest ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff
In front of the packed house at Nissan Stadium, Hubbard would address the crowd, arm around Kelley, and officially declare that Florida Georgia Line is back.
“CMA Fest, it feels so good to be here tonight. It feels so good to be here with my brother. And listen, we got three things we want to say tonight. First of all, God is good. Second of all, life is short. And most importantly, your boys… we back baby!”
Since then, they’ve been making quiet moves that signal big plans for 2027. This includes the pair officially signing with an agent and management back in June, Hubbard confirming they were “itching to get back on stage,” their social media profile photos being updated to the pair sitting in stadium seats and, finally, a message going out to their fan club with a text reading:
“Turns out, some things are just better together. Much more to come. FGL LFG”
Well, it looks like we have confirmation on one of their stops on what appears to be the makings of a massive “comeback” tour in 2027: none other than Stagecoach.
Taking to Instagram this afternoon, Stagecoach, the biggest country music festival located in Indio, California, uploaded a teaser video of the two packing their bags and getting in a blue Chevy. With “Cruise” playing out of the speakers, Kelley asks Hubbard, “Are we really doing this again?” to which he replies with “Looks like it, bro.”
Shockingly, the comments were nothing but positive, with fans and fellow artists raving with excitement over the kings of bro-country making their official return in 2027.
“In the words of FGL: ‘WE BACK BABY’
“A 2016 version of me is freaking out”
“Oh. My. God. My drems are coming true”
“IM GONNA PASS OUT”
“The world is healing”
“Absolutely. Fired. Up.”
“Why did this make my whole year tho?!”
Whether you like it or not, Florida Georgia Line is back. The question that remains now is “How will they fare after the split?” Judging by the crowd’s reaction at Nissan Stadium and the reaction in Stagecoach’s comment section, I fear we might be in for a wave of bro-country 2.0.
