WINDY CITY SMOKEOUT 2026
Windy City Smokeout Delivers Five Days of Country Music, Barbecue, and Summer Celebration in Chicago
HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH
Hootie & The Blowfish delivered a wave of '90s nostalgia to kick off Thursday night at Windy City Smokeout, bringing fans together for a singalong packed with timeless hits. Classics like Let Her Cry and Only Wanna Be with You had the crowd singing every lyric as Darius Rucker's unmistakable vocals carried across the festival grounds. The band's warm, feel good performance reminded longtime fans why their music has remained a staple for decades. Although severe weather brought the set to an early close, Hootie & The Blowfish still left a lasting impression, proving that even a shortened performance can be one of the festival's most memorable moments.
LAINEY WILSON
Lainey Wilson brought her signature blend of country grit and Southern charm to the Windy City Smokeout stage, opening her set with her latest single, Phone Keys Wallet. Dressed in her iconic bell bottoms and cowboy hat, Wilson immediately commanded the crowd with her unmistakable stage presence. Fan favorites including 4x4xU, Watermelon Moonshine, and Somewhere Over Laredo had thousands singing along throughout the night. Swapping between eye catching gold and turquoise guitars, she effortlessly balanced heartfelt storytelling with high energy performances. One of the evening's most memorable moments came when Wilson continued her beloved "Cowgirl of the Night" tradition, inviting a young fan onstage and surprising her with a cowboy hat, creating a heartfelt memory that perfectly reflected the sense of connection she brings to every performance.
jordan davis
Jordan Davis brought an easygoing energy to Windy City Smokeout, delivering a set packed with fan favorites that perfectly matched the festival's laid back summer atmosphere. From the opening notes, the crowd enthusiastically sang along to hits including Buy Dirt, Next Thing You Know, and What My World Spins Around, creating one of the weekend's biggest singalongs. Davis's heartfelt songwriting and approachable stage presence made for a performance that felt both personal and celebratory. With the Chicago skyline serving as the backdrop, fans embraced every moment, turning the set into a fitting soundtrack for a summer evening at Windy City Smokeout.
blake shelton
Blake Shelton closed out Windy City Smokeout on Sunday night with a headlining performance that celebrated both his longtime career and his newest music. His set featured fan favorites like Honey Bee, Sangria, and God's Country, along with a cover of Post Malone's Pour Me a Drink. Shelton kept the crowd engaged with his signature humor, encouraging singalongs and playfully joking about fellow country artist Luke Bryan. Leaning into the festival's barbecue tradition, Shelton requested a plate of barbecue ribs before later enjoying a barbecue sandwich on stage, adding a fun and memorable touch to the performance. Blending classic hits with newer songs, he delivered a fitting finale that brought the festival to a memorable close.
country music takes over chicago
For five unforgettable days, Windy City Smokeout transformed Chicago into the ultimate destination for country music, world class barbecue, and summertime entertainment. From July 8 through July 12, fans packed the festival grounds to experience performances from established headliners, rising stars, and some of country music's fastest growing artists, all set against the backdrop of the Chicago skyline.
The festival kicked off on Wednesday with an energetic opening night led by Treaty Oak Revival, whose high powered performance set the tone for the weekend ahead. Braxton Keith and Sterling Elza rounded out the opening day, welcoming fans to the first of five days filled with live music and festival traditions.
Thursday brought a wave of nostalgia as Hootie & The Blowfish took the stage, with festivalgoers singing along to decades of hit songs. Earlier in the day, Scotty McCreery delivered a crowd pleasing set that showcased his signature country sound, while emerging artists Noeline Hofmann, Ghost Hounds, and Karley Scott Collins kept the energy high throughout the afternoon.
Friday highlighted one of the weekend's most anticipated performances as Lainey Wilson took the stage with her unmistakable blend of country storytelling and commanding stage presence. Throughout the day, Hudson Westbrook, Vincent Mason, and Mackenzie Carpenter continued to showcase the next generation of country music, each bringing their own style and personality to the festival.
Saturday continued the momentum with Jordan Davis headlining a day filled with singalong anthems and laid back summer vibes. Russell Dickerson energized the crowd with his upbeat performance, while Tyler Hubbard and Blake Whiten kept fans on their feet well into the evening, making it one of the festival's most energetic days.
The festival came to a memorable close on Sunday as Blake Shelton headlined the final night, delivering a set that blended longtime favorites with newer music while keeping the crowd entertained with his signature humor. Earlier in the day, Warren Zeiders and Carter Faith added memorable performances of their own, helping close out another successful year of Windy City Smokeout.
Beyond the music, Windy City Smokeout once again celebrated its reputation as one of the country's premier barbecue festivals. Award winning pitmasters from across the nation served a wide variety of smoked specialties throughout the weekend, while fans enjoyed food, drinks, interactive experiences, and activations between performances. The combination of live music, exceptional barbecue, and Chicago's vibrant atmosphere continued to make the festival a standout event on the summer festival calendar.
From the opening notes on Wednesday to the final encore on Sunday night, Windy City Smokeout 2026 delivered five days of unforgettable performances, bringing together country music fans from across the country for another memorable celebration of music, food, and community.
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VINCENT MASON
Vincent Mason brought an authentic blend of heartfelt songwriting and modern country sound to the Windy City Smokeout stage on Friday. The rising artist captivated the crowd with fan favorites including Hell Is a Dance Floor, Wish You Well, and Damned If I Do, giving festivalgoers plenty of moments to sing along. Mason's relaxed stage presence and genuine connection with the audience made his performance feel personal, while his emotional lyrics and powerful vocals showcased why he continues to build momentum as one of country music's fastest-rising new artists.
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MACKENZIE CARPENTER
Mackenzie Carpenter brought her sharp songwriting and energetic stage presence to Windy City Smokeout, delivering a set that showcased both her humor and heartfelt storytelling. Fans sang along to favorites including Dozen Red Flags, Jesus, I'm Jealous, and Huntin' Season, as Carpenter effortlessly blended witty lyrics with honest emotion. Her confident performance and engaging personality kept the crowd entertained from start to finish, proving why she continues to emerge as one of country music's most exciting rising artists. Her Friday afternoon set was a standout addition to an already packed day of music.
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HUDSON WESTBROOK
Hudson Westbrook brought a high energy performance to the Windy City Smokeout stage, continuing to prove why he has become one of country music's fastest-rising new artists. His set featured fan favorites including House Again, Take It Slow, and Mine Tomorrow, with the crowd singing along throughout the performance. Westbrook's confident stage presence and blend of traditional country influences with a modern edge created an electric atmosphere, making his Friday set one of the day's standout performances.
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BLAKE WHITEN
Blake Whiten brought his gritty country sound and Southern rock influence to the Windy City Smokeout stage, delivering a performance full of energy and emotion. His set featured fan favorites including Rollin' Stone, Made for Goodbyes, and One of Them Beers, drawing enthusiastic singalongs from the crowd. Whiten's powerful vocals and authentic storytelling resonated with fans throughout the performance, while his commanding stage presence made his Saturday set a standout moment of the festival. His blend of traditional country themes and modern rock influences showcased why he continues to earn attention as one of the genre's rising artists.
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WARREN ZEIDERS
Warren Zeiders brought his signature blend of country and rock to the Windy City Smokeout stage, delivering a powerful performance that energized the Sunday crowd. His set featured fan favorites including Pretty Little Poison, Ride the Lightning, and Relapse, with fans singing along from the opening song to the final note. Zeiders' commanding vocals and high energy stage presence created an electric atmosphere, while his raw, emotional delivery showcased the style that has made him one of country music's fastest-rising stars. His performance provided the perfect lead up to the festival's closing headliner, Blake Shelton.
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TYLER HUBBARD
Tyler Hubbard brought an infectious energy to the Windy City Smokeout stage, delivering a set packed with solo hits and fan favorites that kept the crowd on its feet. Performing songs like 5 Foot 9, Back Then Right Now, and Park, Hubbard had festivalgoers singing along throughout the performance. His charismatic stage presence and feel good country sound perfectly matched the summer atmosphere, creating one of Saturday's most memorable sets. Blending upbeat anthems with heartfelt moments, Hubbard showcased the success of his solo career while connecting with fans from start to finish.
“From rising stars to country music's biggest names, Windy City Smokeout 2026 celebrated the best of country music and award winning barbecue, delivering five unforgettable days in the heart of Chicago.”
PHOTOS BY NICK LANGLOIS
ARTICLE BY LILY CRUSE & SYDNEY YONKER