Stages
Ryan Booth‘s SXSW 2026 drama, Stages, follows the first solo tour of a musician after the collapse of his band. Ben Garza chases the dream of remaining relevant in an ever-evolving industry.
The title is a clever double entendre for career shifts and physical performance spaces, immediately setting the tone for the journey ahead. As the story moves on the road, audiences experience the often unglamorous and always unpredictable reality of tour life. As Jessie’s stock rises and Ben shifts gears, the audience feels every beat, deepening our connection to the characters’ evolving relationships.
Leslie Grace brings sweet authenticity and immense talent to Jessie, her vulnerability dazzling. Dan Ramirez delivers a seemingly effortless performance, one that could just as easily have been a documentary. As we watch Jessie’s newfound fame, Ramirez wears his emotions on his sleeve. Dan must decide whether to grow or give up. Ramirez is simply spectacular.
The soundtrack is beautiful, with original songs that are instant hits. Ramirez and Grace have gorgeous tones. When they duet, it is chill-inducing magic. Editing is fast-paced and smart, alongside the handheld camerawork. The juxtaposition of these two generations and their journeys is fascinating.
The sacrifices a performer makes to maintain personal relationships are something incredibly difficult to explain to anyone outside the industry, but Stages captures the emotional strain perfectly. Stages finds the thrills, unprecedented risk, pride swallowing, and unadulterated joy of pursuing a life on stage. Highly recommend. SXSW 2026 audiences have a front row seat to greatness.
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