CMA Fest 2026 Night 1: Jason Aldean, Ella Langley & FGL Reunion Kick Off The Weekend

/by

Jason Aldean performs at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Fans packed Nissan Stadium on Thursday night (June 4) for the opening night of CMA Fest 2026, ready for a lineup full of breakout acts, longtime hitmakers and major surprises.

Caylee Hammack kicked off the evening with the national anthem before Rhett Akins took the stage to get the first stadium show of the week underway.

Tucker Wetmore performs at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Tucker Wetmore followed, opening his set with “Proving Me Right” before rolling into “Wine Into Whiskey,” “Sunburn,” “Wind Up Missin’ You” and “Brunette,” giving fans a look at the songs that have helped fuel his breakout year.

Over on the platform stage, Zach John King kept the night moving between main stage sets, closing his appearance with “Get To Drinkin’” as crews prepped the main stage for the next act.

A surprise moment followed when Jelly Roll took the stage, earning a huge reaction from the hometown crowd. He performed “Need A Favor,” “Bloodline,” “Amen,” “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” “Lonely Road” and “Son Of A Sinner,” giving the night one of its biggest singalong moments.

Gretchen Wilson and Ella Langley performs at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Ella Langley then took the stage, reflecting on the whirlwind year she has had since last year’s CMA Fest. “I think about how much has happened in my life in just a year’s time,” she told the crowd. “I think about what I get to do for a living—I’ve wanted to do this my whole life. I haven’t had another dream. I am so grateful that God gave me the chance to do something like this.” The crowd erupted as she played “Dandelion,” “Be Her,” “Loving Life Again,” “Choosin’ Texas” and “weren’t for the wind.”

Back on the platform stage, Vincent Mason performed “Damned If I Do” before bringing out Stella Lefty for their collaboration, “Something To Lose.”

Deana Carter brought the crowd back to the ’90s, performing two songs before closing with her signature hit “Strawberry Wine.”

Willow Avalon followed on the platform stage, bringing her throwback country sound to the stadium crowd as crews prepared for the next main stage moment.

Florida Georgia Line performs at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Gretchen Wilson and Langley then walked out together, teaming up for a performance of “Here For The Party” before Wilson kept the energy rolling with her signature anthem, “Redneck Woman.”

The biggest surprise of the night happened with the reunion of Florida Georgia Line. Introduced by Michael Buffer, the legendary “Let’s get ready to rumble!” announcer, Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley entered from opposite sides of the stadium before meeting in the middle of the crowd. The duo performed “Round Here” before launching into their diamond-certified hit “Cruise.”

Closing out the night was Jason Aldean, who kicked off his set with “My Kinda Party” before following it with “Whiskey Drink,” and more, bringing the first night of CMA Fest 2026 to a memorable finish.

John Nix Arledge
Latest posts by John Nix Arledge (see all)