Our second day started out with another artist we’d seen before, this time pretty recently, in Bec O’Malley. He opened for Mr Pardi back in May, and we really enjoyed him then. However, we enjoyed him even more this time around! The sound on the Rhinestone stage was pretty great all weekend, and Bec having a full band backing him this time filled out his music to a fantastic degree. It was a similar setlist to when we saw him previously, but it felt fresh and still excellent seeing it again, especially on an outdoor, festival stage. I said it then and I’ll say it again now, Bec is already set to be a MASSIVE name in the coming years, so I’d recommend seeing him in smaller slots like this while you still can!

Next we had a bit of a stroll up to the Interstate to check out the opening few of Brennan Leigh. She certainly caught our ear heading into the festival, and she didn’t disappoint live! She’s the perfect blend of old-school country and bluegrass, a style I hadn’t gotten much of so far over the weekend, so I was certainly down. Her and her band performed it masterfully too, everyone working together to produce a great sound. Sadly we could only stay for a few, as our good friends First Time Flyers made their triumphant main stage debut after a few years on other stages. Now, they always sound excellent, the quartet being a contender with Shires for best harmonies, but the level of show they put on on the bigger stage was fantastic. Right from the offset they had the big intro, making them feel like a massive deal, and the four of them (and their band) performed like their lives depended on it for the full hour! They have been kicking ass at this festival, and across the UK as a whole, for years now, but this felt like a band at the next level. Another artist I’d recommend absolutely anyone reading this to check out!

One of my most anticipated sets of the weekend was up next in Zandi Holup. I loved her album last year, still listening to it on the regular, so getting to hear it in a live setting was truly special. Honestly, her opening on her big breakout hit ‘Gas Station Flowers’ was unexpected, but set the beautiful, bittersweet tone of the set perfectly. From other album highlights like ‘Dirty Wings’ and ‘Wildflower’ to upcoming new tracks, it was a really great setlist. Her voice is so unique and powerful, and had me misty eyed on more than one occasion. And there was something about her stood there with her guitar, the only other accompaniment being an incredible fiddle player, that was so captivating, and filled out the sound so well in the packed out tent. It’s wild to me that I actually didn’t mind it not being a full band setup, and would love to see this sort of set again! She teased a new album for 2027 and I already can’t wait; hopefully we get a full tour off the back of it over here!

Another artist we were familiar with was up next on the Rhinestone, Uncle Lucius. Much like with Bec above, as much as I enjoyed them at The Bodga, they blew me away here! It started a little low energy which was odd, but the rockier numbers really hooked me in, and I was obsessed just a few songs in. They were another band that had had a big feel and vibe to them, the show being so well put together and flowed excellently, as well as sounding perfect. The band are so insanely talented too, playing their asses off throughout. It was a similarish setlist to when we saw them before, at least in terms of their own stuff, but it hit that much harder on a massive open field, and the crowd ate it up too!

Twinnie packed out the Interstate stage, and for good reason! She was fucking awesome! One of the most born-performers I saw all weekend, she kept everyone in the palm of her hand from the start of her set to the very end. Being another leading light of the UK country scene it’s no surprise, and her pop-infused sound had everyone singing and dancing along throughout. I don’t think it’ll be too long before she’s up in The Shires’ spot on bills like this, and it couldn’t happen to a more deserving artist. Another firm highlight of the weekend!

A lot of people had been impatiently waiting for Josh Ross all day. So imagine my surprise when the track I most wanted to see from the guy was what opened the setlist. ‘Hate How You Look’ is a banger and was awesome live. So, sadly, the rest of the set felt a touch deflating for me. I’m certainly not opposed to some pop-country, but opening the show on one of your rockier numbers and then slowing the pace way down for a bit kinda ruined the hype for me. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great performer and a fantastic vocalist. However, I’d kinda checked out by the middle of his set. It’s a bit of a shame too because I was looking forward to him, especially with the hype surrounding his set. He certainly wasn’t awful and if you enjoyed him, that’s great! But I found myself struggling to get into it at times.

Over on the Front Porch, Ken Pomeroy was treating us to a fantastic acoustic set. She has such an interesting voice and way of songwriting, that I certainly enjoyed standing and watching for a few tracks. If it was a typical year where the weather was better, I’d have loved to chill out on the grass and watch the full set. Still, I am a fan of her work and it translated well live, even if there were a couple of slightly awkward pauses between songs. Then, back at the Interstate Jason Scott & The High Heat blew the roof off the joint. Their blend of country, Southern rock and Americana is fantastic and pretty unique, and translates excellently to a live environment, especially a dark, packed-out tent! And, from tracks from the upcoming Play Boy album to more firm classics, the setlist was pretty damn excellent, too. The strutted around like they owned the stage, and the crowd very much were on board with it, hanging on every note! I had a blast from start to end, and very much need to see them again ASAP!

The replacement for Bailey Zimmerman, as well as being a living breathing Rolling Stone, Ronnie Wood took to the stage to close out the Saturday. Honestly, I didn’t really have much expectation heading in, but I ended up having a blast! Ronnie is a larger than life character, and his energy and happiness is infectious. And, to his credit, he still sounds pretty good for his age. Not only that, but he makes his rather brilliant soloing look so effortless… I’m not jealous at all… However, his band killed it too, matching his energy and drive and ability. It felt a touch odd waiting so long to bring out Imelda May, but when they did HOT DAMN, she was incredible. Honestly one of the best voices of all time, and hearing it live was phenomenal.

And, in terms of the setlist, it was pretty damn fun. Covering the expanses of his decades long career with tracks from both the Stones and Faces to even a couple of his solo bits thrown in for good measure. But, he threw in plenty of covers too, some even being country to fit in with the theme of the festival. From Willie to Hank, Chuck Berry to Aretha Franklin to, of course, a couple of Dolly, there was plenty of massive and fitting music to love. Sadly, the rain picked up rather lots towards the back half, and the crowd thinned out substantially. It did take away a slight bit from the set, but it was still enjoyable, regardless. It was a real party vibe, and a great way to close out the day!