CMA Fest 2024: The Best Free Shows (2024)

June 5, 2024

• Annie Bosko

  

  Annie Bosko just wants to be your “Neon Baby”! Over the years, the California cowgirl has written for Willie Nelson and provided background vocals for Darius Rucker and Adele, but she’s about to command the spotlight on her own. She just earned co-signs from Vince Gill on “Higher Ground” and Dwight Yoakam on their new collab “Heart Burn” (produced by Butch Walker). If you’re into Kacey Musgraves and Nineties country, you won’t want to miss Bosko’s set. Thursday, 12:55 p.m., Hard Rock Stage

• Tyler Halverson

  

  Tyler Halverson comes by his cowboy hat honestly: The songwriter used to work and show cattle in his native South Dakota. Since then, he’s relocated to Nashville to make what he refers to as “Country & Western Amerijuana” music, a batch of irresistible rodeo songs infused with a waft of pot smoke. Show up ready to have a good time, and holler until he plays “Takes 8.” Thursday, 2:55 p.m., Hard Rock Stage

• Chris Housman

  

  Housman, an openly gay country singer, made waves back in 2021 with the viral “Blueneck,” a song he wrote for a segment of country fans he refers to as “liberal rednecks.” Housman followed it up last month with his debut album of the same name. Expect tracks from the LP, like the slow-burning “Guilty As Sin” and the joyous “Drag Queen,” during the Kansas native’s Friday morning set — one worth getting up early for. Friday, 10:15 a.m., Good Molecules Reverb Stage

• Tanner Adell

  

  You may have heard the name Tanner Adell for the first time after she joined Beyoncé and several other Black women in country on a reimagining of “Blackbird” by the Beatles. But the California-born star has been making her mark in the genre over the last two years with country-bending tracks like “Love You a Little Bit” and the rap-infused “Trailer Park Barbie.” Her song “Buckle Bunny” went viral, and it’s sure to be a standout of her CMA Fest set. Sunday, 12:55 p.m., Good Molecules Reverb Stage

• Wyatt Flores

  

  It’s a likely bet that the Riverfront stage will reach capacity for Wyatt Flores’ Sunday afternoon performance, leaving some fans shut out of one of the hottest sets of CMA Fest. The wise will arrive early and post up in anticipation of the Oklahoma kid’s fervent singalongs, including songs like “Orange Bottles,” “West of Tulsa,” and “Milwaukee” —any one of which should spur a chorus that can be heard all the way into East Nashville. (We’re not kidding: Get there early.) Sunday, 2:30 p.m., Chevy Riverfront Stage

• Latin Roots: The ‘Equis’ Factor in Country Music

  

  What’s a festival without a little Latin flair? CMA Fest is making space for some of the most promising Latine acts in country music during a writers’ round-style segment on the Close Up Stage. The lively 45-minute event will include conversation and performances from Louie TheSinger (who just dropped the swaggering track “Desperado”), Salvadoran-American vocalist Angie K, “Vaquera and the Cowboy” singer Leah Turner, cop-turned-country star Frank Ray, and “Country Side” singer Sammy Arriaga.Rolling Stone‘s Tomás Mier hosts. Friday, 12:45 p.m., CMA Close Up Stage

• Dylan Gossett

  

  The Texas songwriter went from toiling away at a racetrack near Austin to headlining clubs as a solo artist in less than a year’s time. Credit that to homegrown songs like “Coal” and “To Be Free” and his relatable campfire delivery. Gossett’s CMA Fest debut on the Riverfront stage — with a mini-set at Nissan Stadium to boot — is proof of both the buzz surrounding him and the genre’s return to rootsy country. Friday, 4:45 p.m., Chevy Riverfront

• The Kentucky Gentlemen

  

  With their radio-friendly sound and energetic live show, the brother duo Kentucky Gentlemen are one of the most exciting groups to come out of the Black Opry over the past few years. The duo, twins Brandon and Derek Campbell, reference Dolly Parton on the fun “Beg Your Parton,” sing about keeping their “fry-fishing” and “Uncle Nearest sippin'” going on “Heartache in the Hills,” and have the unique ability to charm every fan they encounter. You’ll be smiling their entire set. Friday, 10:55 a.m., Hard Rock Stage

• Taylor Hunnicutt

  

  Taylor Hunnicutt has been turning heads with a vibe that evokes Janis Joplin fronting the Black Crowes. Listen to the rollicking “All or Nothin’” or the rough-and-raw “Alabama Sound,” the latter a celebration of her home state to get an idea, and then head to her Friday night set on the Hard Rock Stage downtown to see for yourself. Both bookers and fellow artists are taking note: Hunnicutt will play Bonnaroo later this month and Eric Church’s Nashville honky-tonk Chief’s in August, before opening one of the Red Clay Strays’ sold-out shows at the Ryman Auditorium in September. Friday, 7:35 p.m., Hard Rock Stage

• Spotify House

  

  Spotify House returns to Ole Red on Broadway for a fifth year of free concerts, surprise guests, and sweet, sweet air conditioning. This year’s lineup features breakout talent like Wyatt Flores, Sam Barber, and Ella Langley, along with vets including Jon Pardi, Lady A, and Little Big Town. All will deliver intimate one-of-a-kind experiences, but we’re most looking forward to two Saturday highlights in particular: an appearance by Mason Ramsey (Lil’ Hank Williams, all grown up) and a sure-to-be-wild set by Midland, who just dropped the new single “Old Fashioned Feeling.” Thursday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 a.m., Ole Red

• Shaboozey

  

  Few artists are having as big of a moment as Shaboozey. After featuring on several of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter standouts, the country star with Nigerian roots has taken over the charts with “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” The song is featured on his recently released Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, which Rolling Stone described as a “full-on barrage of post-genre possibilities.” Catch the radio staple and a few other standouts on Friday. Beyoncé would want you there. Friday, 1:35 p.m., Good Molecules Reverb Stage

• Dillon James

  

  You can hear Dillon James’ Bakersfield, California, roots right from the jump. While James’ songs may not be of the classic Buck and Merle variety (they’re more like Eric Church), they stand out for their brutal honesty. The songwriter details his journey to redemption — after a bought of drug abuse and homelessness — in songs like “Walking Man” and “My Shadow,” selling every word with a believer’s zeal. It’ll be a captivating show. Saturday, 1 p.m., Spotlight Stage

• Ingrid Andress

  

  Ingrid Andress will be the first to tell you she’s a country music outsider. But her penchant for ultra-specific, heartstring-tugging songwriting is as country as can be. Andress wowed the country scene in 2020 when she dropped her debut Lady Like, earning three Grammy nominations in the process, including one for Best New Artist. She’s also penned songs for pop stars like Charli XCX and Fletcher, joined Sam Hunt on the collab “Wishful Drinking,” and dropped her introspective second LP, Good Person. Onstage, she’s mesmerizing. Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Chevy Riverfront Stage

• Tigirlily Gold

  

  Country music is in need of some new duos. Thankfully, the Slaubaugh sisters of Kendra and Krista — better known as Tigirlily Gold — are on the scene. The band has a hit with the breakup song “I Tried a Ring On” and a fan fave in “Shoot Tequila,” both of which appear on their debut album, Blonde, out next month. Their CMA Fest set should serve as an album preview as well as a glimpse into two future CMA Awards contenders. Sunday, 12:30 p.m., Chevy Vibes Stage