Stagecoach 2025 was full of iconic moments — but if you were lucky enough to catch Austin Snell’s Mane Stage set on Sunday afternoon (April 27), you witnessed the future of country music in real time.
Wearing his genre-defying heart on his sleeve, Austin tore through a high-octane, unapologetically heavy set that somehow blended the chaos of a rock show with the soul of a country confession. It was his first time at Stagecoach — and if his explosive 25-minute set proved anything, it’s that it definitely won’t be his last.
“This is my first time here… you could probably tell because we were late,” he joked to Celeb Secrets host Juliet Schroder backstage with a grin. “But man, it looks massive. I’m excited.” And with good reason. The rising Nashville singer-songwriter — signed to River House Artists/Warner Music Nashville — has racked up over 382 million global streams, thanks to his fresh, heavy-hitting take on country that leans fully into his roots: both Southern and sonic.
Born and raised in Georgia and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Austin discovered his sound somewhere between the grit of hard rock and the emotional storytelling of ‘90s country radio. “I grew up on Three Doors Down, Nickelback, Alan Jackson, and Keith Whitley,” he says. “So my music just ends up somewhere between all that. I call it ‘grunge country.’”
It’s a label that fits. His recent singles “Heavy Metal” and “I Mean It” hit like a wrecking ball — both emotionally and sonically — and feel tailor-made for the fans who’ve grown up with Jelly Roll, HARDY, or even Bring Me the Horizon and Morgan Wallen in the same playlist. “I started out in rock,” he says. “And I told my team I want to go back that direction. That’s where we’re headed.”
One of the undeniable highlights of Austin’s set — and his current catalog — is the emotionally charged “I Mean It,” a track that packs as much vulnerability as it does volume.
“This is definitely one of my favorite songs I’ve been a part of,” Austin tells Celeb Secrets. “It brings me back to that raw, original rock sound I started with — and I’ve really missed that.”
Written with longtime collaborators Michael Whitworth, Riley Thomas, Andrew Baylis, and Conor Matthews, the song is an explosive, arena-ready anthem about trying to save a relationship on life support. It’s gritty, urgent, and full of the kind of emotional whiplash that makes you want to scream the lyrics at the top of your lungs — or text your ex at 2 a.m. (We don’t recommend the latter, but the urge is real.)
What makes “I Mean It” so powerful is how personal it feels — both in its lyricism and the way it was created. “Those dudes have been with me since my first big song,” Austin says of his co-writers. “When we get in a room together, there’s no need to explain my sound. They just get it.”
And if the sound feels a little rough around the edges, that’s entirely the point. Austin’s not recording in glossy million-dollar studios — he’s still cutting vocals in his producer’s living room. “It’s literally in front of the fireplace,” he laughs. “I don’t think I’ll ever want to go into a big studio. It’s just about the vibe — and when it feels good, you know it’s real.”
Austin’s debut album Still Bleeding — which dropped earlier this year — continues that same sonic vision. From heavy riffs to hip-hop influences and gut-punch lyricism, the project is an unfiltered reflection of a guy who’s not trying to fit a mold — he’s melting it down.
“At the end of the day, I just want to make music I believe in,” he tells us. “That’s always the goal. As long as I keep that mindset, I don’t need anything else.”
And if you think all this success has gone to his head, think again. Austin is still cutting tracks in his producer’s living room — fireplace and all. “People think we’re in some huge fancy studio,” he laughs. “But we’re just hanging on a couch, recording in the living room. It’s all about the vibe.”
He brought that same down-to-earth energy with him to Indio, staying the full weekend to catch one of his bucket list bands — Creed. “I’m a big fan,” he says. “I couldn’t miss them.” But once Sunday rolled around, the spotlight was all his.
Backed by a tight band and fueled by pure adrenaline, Austin delivered a set that felt both nostalgic and new — a perfectly chaotic clash of rock riffs, country grit, and raw honesty. And with a headline tour and even more music on the way, he’s just getting started.
“It was a whirlwind at first,” he admits. “But I feel like I’m finally settling into a groove. I’ve got a good team, a great band… we’re just excited.”
So what’s next? New songs. Big stages. Maybe even a few more curveballs. “I get bored doing what everyone else is doing,” he says. “I like to spice it up a little.”
Mission accomplished.
For more on Austin’s music, watch our full interview from Stagecoach below. And don’t forget to let us know what you think of “I Mean It” by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecretscountry.
Quotes were edited and condensed for clarity. For more coverage from Stagecoach 2025, click here.
