Watershed Festival Wraps Another Talent-Packed Weekend

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Dierks Bentley. Photo: Bubba Sellars

Watershed Festival made its return to the Gorge Amphitheatre over the weekend Aug. 1-3 with three days of full sun and country music.

Bailey Zimmerman. Photo: Bubba Sellars

The fest kicked off on Friday afternoon with sets from RaeLynn, who brought her signature country swagger to the Main Stage, while local favorites The Woods amped up the crowd on the Next From Nashville Stage. Ian Munsick kept the energy high with a set packed with fan favorites, and the night culminated with a high-octane performance from Jason Aldean, who lit up the stage and closed out the first day in front of a packed crowd of fans.

Saturday started with standout performances from rising stars including Ashley Cooke, Chase Matthew and Zach Top. Dierks Bentley brought the heat Saturday night, kicking off his set with a medley of crowd-pleasers including his latest single, “She Hates Me” before launching into hits like “Living” and “Beers on Me.” In a surprise highlight, Next From Nashville artists The Band Loula joined Bentley on stage for a swampy rendition of the Del McCoury Band’s “Get Down On Your Knees.” He closed out the night with his ’90s alter ego, Hot Country Knights, bringing Top back out for a high-energy cover of John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident).”

Sunday closed out the weekend on a high note with more performances from Drew Baldridge, Jackson Dean and Tyler Hubbard. Headliner Bailey Zimmerman brought the house down with an explosive set filled with genre-blending anthems, high-energy production, and a mix of fan favorites and new music from his upcoming album Different Night Same Rodeo.

The weekend also showcased rising talent at the Next From Nashville Stage, where fans were treated to standout performances from newcomers including Logan Crosby, Spencer Crandall, Karley Scott Collins, Thomas Edwards, Greylan James, Tiera Kennedy, Bryce Leatherwood, Shaylen, Lauren Watkins, The Woods, and local favorites Last Chance Band. 

Jason Aldean. Photo: Bubba Sellars

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Ian Munsick. Photo: Bubba Sellars

Jackson Dean. Photo: Bubba Sellars

RaeLynn. Photo: Bubba Sellars

Tyler Hubbard. Photo: Bubba Sellars

Zach Top. Photo: Bubba Sellars

Ashley Cooke. Photo: Bubba Sellars

Lauren Watkins. Photo: Bubba Sellars

Tiera Kennedy. Photo: Bubba Sellars

Last Chance Band. Photo: Bubba Sellars

Lorie Hollabaugh
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