Photos by Shannon Guest – Lainey Wilson electrified the crowd outside the United Center on Friday, July 10, delivering a high-octane headlining performance at the 2026 Windy City Smokeout in Chicago. The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year brought her signature “Bell Bottom Country” flair and fierce charisma to the premier country music and barbecue festival, drawing a massive crowd of summer festivalgoers. Taking the stage under the open Chicago sky, Wilson seamlessly bridged the gap between a powerhouse stadium-scale spectacle and the intimate, authentic storytelling that has defined her rapid ascent in modern country music.
Backed by strong country-rock instrumentation and enhanced live arrangements, Wilson tore through a setlist packed with chart-topping anthems like “Heart Like a Truck” and “Watermelon Moonshine,” alongside newer tracks from her acclaimed album Whirlwind. The performance perfectly mirrored the high-energy, sensory experience of the festival, pairing synchronized visuals and powerful stage lighting with heartfelt interactions where she shared the inspirations behind her music. Set against the backdrop of smoky pitmaster stations and towering festival screens, her Friday night set solidified her place as a premier live entertainer and served as a major highlight of the four-day downtown celebration.
WARREN ZEIDERS
Warren Zeiders brought his raw, gravelly energy to the United Center parking grounds on Sunday, July 12, delivering a powerhouse performance at the 2026 Windy City Smokeout in Chicago. Serving as one of the highly anticipated performers on the festival’s final day, the rising country-rock star commanded the outdoor stage with his distinctively raspy vocals and intense stage presence. Zeiders seamlessly matched the high-voltage atmosphere of the day, acting as the perfect heavy-hitting prelude to Sunday night headliner Blake Shelton, and drawing a massive, roaring crowd of country and rock enthusiasts to the pavement.
Backed by a hard-driving rhythm section and searing electric guitars, Zeiders tore through an explosive setlist featuring his breakthrough anthems like “Ride the Lightning” and hits from his recent catalog. His distinctive fusion of outlaw country grit and post-grunge rock energy resonated deeply with the afternoon crowd, turning the sprawling venue into a sea of singing fans. Against the backdrop of towering festival screens and the scent of premier Texas and midwest barbecue, Zeiders’ standout Sunday performance injected a surge of adrenaline into the festival’s grand finale, solidifying his reputation as one of the genre’s most formidable live acts.
