50,000 fans took to the scenic shores of Lake Michigan on Northerly Island for the second-annual Country LakeShake this weekend, hosting “a long weekend packed with music and outdoor fun” with highlights including “arena-rocking hitmaker Jason Aldean and veteran showmen Brooks & Dunn among its top-shelf stars, as well as a batch of intriguing up-and-comers” (Chicago Tribune.)
Friday’s festivities kicked off with energetic sets by Lady Antebellum, Sam Hunt, Kacey Musgraves, Jana Kramer and more as the The Times Of Northwest Indiana noted that “the word is out...Chicago's Country LakeShake Festival was packed.” Fans also flocked in their droves towards the festival’s second stage dubbed “Next From Nashville," known as a showcase for the genre’s brightest stars, that across the weekend boasted performances by Clare Dunn, Aaron Lewis, William Michael Morgan, Mo Pitney, Aubrie Sellers, Tara Thompson, Brett Young and more.
Saturday hosted headliner Tim McGraw as he “took the stage at 9:20pm with thousands waiting to sing along to his greatest hits...The talent didn’t stop there, however, as Martina McBride and Jon Pardi also brought the party to the Windy City,” raved Sounds Like Nashville, as well as the first night of superstar duo’s Brooks & Dunn two-night stand at the festival.
The final day of the three-day, two-stage country music festival offered more excitement as heavy-hitters including Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, A Thousand Horses, as well as attendees, took part in the first-ever “CMT Concert Of The Summer: Jason Aldean & Friends Live At LakeShake” taping. The two-hour special is slated to air on CMT on Sept. 3rd at 8pm ET/PT. Country LakeShake’s final night also gave fans a second dose of Brooks & Dunn, who were featured at the festival as the duo’s only dates in the US this year, outside of their Vegas residency.
“I feel like LakeShake really established itself this year on the calendar of ‘must do’ events in Chicago in the summer,” said Brian O’Connell, Live Nation President of Country Touring. "The vibe was wonderful all weekend, and the talent was top notch. We listened to the fans, and improved on their experience immeasurably from what we are seeing on the socials, and that is a testament to the LakeShake team. I am especially happy with the 'Next From Nashville' stage, and how many fans were exposed to the next group of superstar acts that performed. Work begins today on year three! I can't wait!"
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