WILDWOOD, NJ – Once a year, the largest four-day outdoor country music festival in the Northeast comes to the shores of Wildwood Beach.
The festival, which takes place between the two famous Morey’s Piers, hosts over 40 of the largest names in country music as well as many local up-and-coming performers.
This year’s lineup was headlined by country superstars Blake Shelton, Kid Rock, Darius Rucker, and Jon Pardi. It also featured the likes of Riley Green, Parker McCollum, Lady A, and Lainey Wilson among many others.
However, the big surprise performance of the weekend was a special guest performance by HARDY. HARDY became available for the weekend after Morgan Wallen had to cancel a string of stadium shows, in which he was set to be the opening act. However, one crowd’s loss is another crowd’s gain as he only added to the stacked lineup of artists scheduled for this year’s festival.
Thursday
The festival opened with the Planet Fitness Thursday Night Kick-Off Concert, and gates opened at 6PM, before various acts hit the Miller Lite Main Stage, at 6:30PM. However, in the meantime there were numerous local artists performing around the festival grounds whether it be on the Discovery Stage, in the all-new Club Barefoot, or on the Dodge Ram Pop-Up Stage.
Things started to fill up when Tennessee-native Shane Profitt took the main stage and won the crowd over with his hit song on country radio, “How It Oughta Be.”
In addition to the great music being played, there was also great work being done in the local community. As the Philadelphia Eagles Autism Foundation was on hand with their drumline, team cheerleaders, as well as the team mascot, Swoop, raising money and awareness for the cause, even making an appearance on stage.
Next, it was time for Michael Ray to perform, and in my opinion, he absolutely stole the show. He had a phenomenal stage presence and was very engaging with the audience. Even bringing back on the Philadelphia Eagles’ Cheerleaders for a song and dance later in his set.
Finally, Jon Pardi returned to the Barefoot Country Music Fest stage, having made his debut at the inaugural festival in August of 2021 along with artists like Dan + Shay, Carrie Underwood, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Zac Brown Band.
Friday
The party on the beach rolled on Friday, however it was a bit more delayed than expected. Gates and music were supposed to start at 1PM, yet due to inclement weather, the music didn’t start until 3PM. Despite the shift in schedule, in addition to the four stages used on Thursday, there was also use of the new Jim Beam Stage, located near the entrance of the festival serving as the secondary stage for the remainder of the weekend.
Crowds who were waiting out the early day storms, were greeted on the Miller Lite Main Stage, by the angelic voices and friendly faces of, “Die From A Broken Heart,” singers, Maddie & Tae.
Next up to take the Main Stage, was half of the “Thicc As Thieves,” duo, Lauren Alaina. Along with song collaborator Lainey Wilson, Lauren Alaina has blown up not only the song itself but also the accompanying Tik Tok dance has gone viral, with thousands recreating the dance using the hashtag, #ThiccAsTheives.
Simultaneously as Lauren Alaina was making her debut on the Miller Lite Main Stage, Bryce Leatherwood, the Season 22 Champion of the NBC hit TV-show, The Voice, was making only his second festival appearance on the country music circuit.
Closing out the Friday festivities on the Main Stage was Riley Green, followed by Bryce Leatherwood’s coach from The Voice, Blake Shelton. Both putting on performances that would keep the crowds partying into the late night, sticking around to see the nightly fireworks, and some even stopping in at down the boardwalk at Seaport Pier for the official BCMF Afterparty featuring Filmore.
Saturday
There is no doubt in my mind that Saturday was my favorite night of the festival. Besides the gorgeous weather, the lineup for the day was absolutely loaded.
Starting off early on the Main Stage with Los Angeles based electronic trio, Cheat Codes, who are currently out touring with their new album, One Night in Nashville. The album features many of country music’s biggest artists including Dolly Parton and Jimmie Allen among many others.
Afterwards, a large gathering was beginning to form in front of the Jim Beam Stage as, “Dicked Down in Dallas,” singer, Trey Lewis was getting ready to take the stage. Up to this point in the weekend, it was certainly the fullest the Jim Beam Stage had been.
Following Trey Lewis and taking the crowd back to the main stage was none other than North Carolina’s very own, Parmalee. Their set even featured an on-stage surprise proposal during their hit song, “Take My Name.”
Longtime Nashville residents and country music starlites, Lady A, took the stage following Parmalee, and played all their best hits. Even throwing in the 2010 radio anthem, “Need You Now,” as well as the 2011 track, “Just A Kiss.”
As if that wasn’t enough, the anticipation continued to grow, as the crowd waited for the legend himself, Darius Rucker to emerge from the shadows of backstage. Not only did Rucker play his top solo songs, but he also dug deep into his discography bringing out the 90’s cult-classics of his former band, Hootie & The Blowfish. All before ending his 90-minute performance with his rendition of Old Crow Medicine Show’s, “Wagon Wheel.”
The mood shifted quickly when from the darkness, HARDY crept out on stage before erupting into a set that would leave many concertgoers in utter shock. Some loved it, some hated it, but HARDY was unapologetically himself when he took the stage on Saturday. Throwing up his middle fingers at the crowd and headbanging every chance he got. It was definitely a shift in atmosphere, when HARDY opened up with three of his arguably most metal-infused songs, “SOLD OUT,” “KILL SH!T TILL I DIE,” AND “JACK.”
On a complete high from being in the pit photographing HARDY, one of my favorite country artists, I decided against going back to my room at the two-star rated Skylark Motel and ventured to Seaport Pier for the afterparty where Williams Honor were popping in to play a late-night set. With a camera in one hand and two Miller Lites in the other, it’s safe to say I enjoyed the show as much as the rest of the crowd did. Waking up with a headache Sunday morning was more than worth it.
Sunday
Sore, tired, hungover, but still in great spirits, I made my way to the festival grounds for the fourth and final day of BCMF 2023, where there was still tons of work to be done. Sunday’s lineup was arguably just as anticipated by the crowd as Saturday’s.
Sunday began with Asbury Park natives Not Leaving Sober dominating the Jim Beam Stage. Not Leaving Sober are no stranger to the Barefoot Country Music Fest stage, having appeared multiple times over the past three years. They are definitely a group to keep an eye out for around the Jersey Shore this summer.
After which, Rome & Duddy, the duo comprised of Sublime lead-singer, Rome, and Dirty Heads lead-singer, Duddy B, took over the Jim Beam Stage and carried on with the party. Playing fan favorites like their song, “Cannabis Tree.”
Next up to the Miller Lite Main Stage was Yellowstone star, and “Heart Like a Truck,” singer, Lainey Wilson. Wilson blew the nonexistent roof off of the place, and left the crowd wanting more, long chanting her name after she left the stage.
Finally, country heartthrob Parker McCollum hit the main stage captivating the audience with his guitar playing and vocals. Before, the final performance of the weekend, by the polarizing, Kid Rock. Kid Rock’s set was full of fireworks and pyrotechnics, as he commanded the audience’s attention for the full 90-minute performance.
Once again, the party didn’t stop there, as I decided yet again to make my way back to Seaport Pier, and catch BCMF veterans and Nashville natives, Neon Union close out the weekend at the after party. I think in an unconscious effort I was hoping for a repeat of Saturday night, but it wasn’t that. The festival had worn on everyone, and it had shown. This was Barefoot Country Music Fest’s best year yet, with the best lineup yet.
The festival at the end of Kid Rock’s set announced that next year they would be returning to the sands of Wildwood, NJ June 20-23 of 2024. I’m already counting down the days and can’t wait to be back in Wildwood again next year!