Kevin Bacon won over the crowd again on the Palomino stage at the Stagecoach Festival. He performed a raucous version of “Footloose,” the unforgettable title song from the 1984 movie. Accompanied by his brother, Michael Bacon, the performance marked a nostalgic return to the role that solidified Kevin Bacon’s status in Hollywood as Ren McCormack.
The breakout success of the film Footloose launched actor Kevin Bacon’s career into the stratosphere. Since its release, it’s created a continual touch point embedded in popular culture. He’s acted in some of the highest grossing movies and TV shows of all time. It is the role of Ren McCormack that is the most thrilling, always recalling the 1984 film’s electric dance sequences.
Photo by DDOT, Flickr/Creative Commons Kevin Bacon, now 66, has long joked that he was best known for the single. He described his “worst nightmare” scenario of being at a wedding and the DJ starts playing “Footloose.” He brought to life the scene of guests sitting in a circle around him. They applauded, using him as their personal “trained monkey.” He doesn’t want to hear the song and he won’t dance to it. Consequently, he has requested wedding DJs to stop playing it, because he wouldn’t participate if they did.
Kevin Bacon commemorating the end of the 2023 actors strike during the festival’s recent closing ceremony. Despite his mixed feelings about the song itself, he got all in on the high concept of “Footloose”. He exuded excitement onstage, stating, “Coming into our little Stagecoach home away from home,” as he introduced his brother to perform alongside him.
The Bacon Brothers, who’ve been crafting songs together for more than three decades, have a connection as siblings that really shines through on stage. Their onstage partnership has become a treasured ritual, from the Bluegrass Situation‘s pilgrimage to Newport Folk on through Stagecoach.
“I never opened for the Backstreet Boys before,” Kevin Bacon remarked during his performance, adding a touch of humor to the moment as he shared the stage with other notable acts.
The festival included huge headliners as well this past weekend, including heavy hitters Lana Del Rey and Luke Combs. In an upbeat TikTok video, Kevin Bacon walked through a backstage area bustling with equally eager performers. Joining them were the Goo Goo Dolls and Sammy Hagar, contributing to the already electric atmosphere.
Our friend Lana Del Rey had her own midnight special moment during her performance, joking about getting busted herself. She stated, “If you want my secret to success, I suggest don’t go ATVing with him when you’re out West,” referring to her adventures.
Kevin Bacon’s rendition of “Footloose” at Stagecoach not only celebrated his iconic role but highlighted the legend of The Bacon Brothers. The more they shared the stage, the more their musical story blossomed. Such success, of course, would be fitting for a cultural legacy that has long since established Kevin Bacon’s international fame.
