Bayker Blakenship Talks Stagecoach, New Music & Being An “Ella Fella”

Bayker Blakenship at Stagecoach Festival

What a year it’s been for Bayker Blakenship - and we’re not even halfway through 2026. At such a young age, the singer has already toured the world, released a string of fan-favourite tracks and lined up huge opportunities for the months ahead. LiveWithLP caught up with him backstage at Stagecoach Festival to talk new music, British crowds, and why he considers himself an Ella Fella.

Bayker, I feel like it was only a few weeks ago we were watching you open the C2C Glasgow stage, and now here we are in California!

Oh, being on the big stage this time was crazy. I was on the Spotlight stage the previous year.

Now you’re the man about town!

It’s so cool going from just me, my brother and his wife with an acoustic guitar, and then this time around we brought the whole band back. Seeing these boys experience it for the first time was sick. I get to play shows in Europe and I had such a blast over there.

It’s funny because that’s exactly what Waylon Wyatt said - you play those acoustic mini stages and then come back to the same venue with a full band. It must feel wild.

Genuinely it’s a glow up. Like when you’re in high school and you’ve got braces or a retainer, and then you finally get them off and you’re like... ‘Look at me now, bitch!’

Oh honey!

It just felt so good to go back and give y’all a real show. Not that it wasn’t before, but having the whole band there was incredible.

I’ll say this straight up - I was there, and the buzz around you opening that show was unlike anything I’ve heard before. Europe collectively wants you back, and much higher up those line-ups too.

Oh, I absolutely love you guys. You guys are the best - and I’m glad you made it over to Stagecoach.

This is crazy to me.

Is it your first time too? Mine as well! We took like a five-minute cart ride to get over here. Nothing’s walking distance, but the weather is crazy. When I left, I was sweating, and within one cart ride I was shivering. California weather is no joke.

America’s weather is wild, but UK weather is a whole different story. Aside from the sunshine, what differences do you notice about British crowds? Artists always seem surprised by them.

You guys are cool - you’re really into the music and I love that. It’s hard to even see a phone over there because everyone’s just in the moment. I also love how all your gigs in London are indoors, but I’m making it my aim to play an outdoor gig in Europe.

Oh... is that a hint we’ll be seeing you soon?

I don’t know, we’ll have to see. I don’t even know what I’m doing next week, so I sadly cannot give you a confirmed answer.

We’ve seen some great releases from you recently, especially ‘Keep Calm’, which fans absolutely loved online.

Oh, it’s been so cool seeing people enjoy it. I was living through a really stressful time last year playing all these shows, and I was like - sometimes you just gotta keep calm. That’s what we wrote the song about. Even when your line’s up top, you’ve just gotta have a good time and ride it out, because it’s all gonna be alright.

That honesty feels like such a huge theme in your music, it's real-life stories turned into songs. Is there still an area of life you’re keen to write about, or is your process just a constant surprise?

You know, it’s kind of been that way recently. Ella Langley’s record has got me really loving life again and sometimes... I just wanna be her so bad.

I guess you could say you’re a dandelion...

Oh yeah,

*starts singing*

“It’s butterfly season, I’m spreading my wiiiings…”

I love her, she’s so cool. I was so sad to miss her play Stagecoach because we hadn’t landed yet. I’d actually been writing all week working on a record.

Oh... does that mean an album is coming?

Hey... we do have some songs coming, and there is a folder of songs. I’m gonna say folder! But there are some exciting things coming together. I’ve been chillaxing, hanging out, and now I’m ready to release everything.

As a British fan, it honestly feels like you’ve already released so much music. I was talking to Braxton Keith yesterday and I still can’t believe neither of you have released debut albums yet.

I know! It’s crazy to think it’s been two years since we released Maxed Out on April 19th, 2024. Ain’t that crazy? It’s wild how much I’ve done in that time too. Everyone’s been so supportive.

There are a few of your buddies playing this festival too - including Zach John King, who I still somehow haven’t seen live. I first heard Maxed Out and instantly became obsessed, and that’s actually how I discovered him through you.

That’s awesome! We actually met in Germany of all places. It was the first time I played C2C Festival on the Spotlight stage and we had to share a green room. He was there by himself and we just started hanging out, and that carried back over into the States.

Funny story actually - I was in the shower one morning and he texted me this song and was like, ‘Take a listen and if you wanna do it, come on.’ I listened to it and knew the words within the first 30 minutes. I was like, ‘I believe I’ll do that!’ And we did. It was sick - he’s a homie for sure. Such a great guy.

It’s a cliché question, but what does the rest of 2026 look like for you? Because we’re only halfway through and you’re already killing it.

Oh, it’s going to be non-stop. New music, a couple of shows, and then jumping on the tour lineup with Koe Wetzel, who’s also bringing Wyatt Flores, Wade Bowen and Corey Kent. That’s awesome - especially Koe, because he’s a legend.

You’re an incredible performer and deserve everything coming your way.

Why thank you! Sometimes when I’m on stage I’m like, ‘What do the people want to see me do?’ Then I get so zoned in with my guitar, and when I open my eyes and reconnect with y’all, I’m like... this is why I love doing this.

It’s hard to get your name out there these days and market your music to the world. Who’s somebody on your radar that people should be listening to?

Oh absolutely, my buddy Colton Bowen. He’s one of my dearest friends and he kind of taught me how to play guitar. He really helped me cut my teeth when I started this career. He’s got some amazing country, bluegrass and folky music. It’s incredible.

Thank you for chatting. I cannot wait to see you back in the UK.

I cannot wait to come back and see y’all!